The Tampa Bay Rays have seven players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents after the 2026 season, creating several roster decisions ahead of the 2027 MLB campaign.
The group includes starting pitchers Freddy Peralta and Nick Martinez, along with Cedric Mullins, Gavin Lux, Jorge Mateo, Jake Fraley and Austin Slater. Drew Rasmussen and Taylor Walls have separate club options for 2027, adding another layer to Tampa Bay’s offseason planning.
Which Rays Players Are Free Agents in 2027?
According to Bolavip’s October 27 report, citing Spotrac, these seven Rays players are scheduled to reach unrestricted free agency:
| Player | Free agency status |
|---|---|
| Nick Martinez | Scheduled unrestricted free agent |
| Cedric Mullins | Scheduled unrestricted free agent |
| Gavin Lux | Scheduled unrestricted free agent |
| Freddy Peralta | Scheduled unrestricted free agent |
| Jorge Mateo | Scheduled unrestricted free agent |
| Jake Fraley | Scheduled unrestricted free agent |
| Austin Slater | Scheduled unrestricted free agent |
Here, “2027 free agents” refers to players entering the market after the 2026 season, ahead of the 2027 season. It does not mean players whose contracts expire after the 2027 campaign.
The list represents scheduled free agency. Extensions or new agreements could change who ultimately reaches the open market.
Freddy Peralta Headlines Tampa Bay’s Decisions
Peralta is a prominent name in the Rays’ pending free-agent class. MLB.com’s look at the 2026–27 free-agent market identifies the right-hander as Tampa Bay’s biggest upcoming free agent.
His future will help shape the Rays’ rotation plans. Retaining him would preserve an established starting option, while a departure would leave Tampa Bay with innings to replace.
Martinez’s pending free agency adds another pitching decision. Together, the two situations make rotation depth a central part of the club’s offseason outlook.
Position Player Departures Could Reshape the Roster
The potential departures extend beyond the pitching staff. Mullins, Lux, Mateo, Fraley and Slater give Tampa Bay several decisions across its position-player group.
If multiple players leave, the Rays could address those openings through internal promotions, trades or free-agent signings. The eventual mix will depend on which players return and how the club chooses to construct its 2027 roster.
Reaching free agency does not automatically mean leaving Tampa Bay. The Rays can still negotiate new contracts with eligible players.
What About Drew Rasmussen and Taylor Walls?
Rasmussen and Walls are separate from the seven scheduled unrestricted free agents because their contracts include club options for 2027, according to the same Bolavip report.
Those options give Tampa Bay decisions about whether to retain each player under the existing contract terms. Their situations should be tracked separately from the confirmed expiration of guaranteed deals.
What This Means for the Rays’ 2027 Roster
Seven scheduled free agents create the possibility of meaningful turnover, with pitching and position-player depth both affected.
Peralta’s future is a major storyline, but the full picture will depend on re-signings, option decisions and other offseason moves. For now, the number to know is seven Rays players scheduled to enter unrestricted free agency ahead of the 2027 season.