Rays, Taylor Walls Agree to $1.4 Million Deal, Avoid Arbitration

Infielder Taylor Walls and the Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to avoid arbitration by signing a one-year contract worth $1.4 million. The deal includes a $1.35 million salary for the upcoming season and a club option for 2026 valued at $2.45 million, which could increase to $2.5 million if Walls reaches 450 plate appearances in 2025. Walls had previously sought a salary of $1.575 million while the Rays offered $1.3 million. Despite a challenging offensive season where he hit .183, Walls is recognized for his elite defensive skills, ranking among the top in the league for defensive runs saved. This marks the first arbitration experience for Walls, who is under team control through 2027. The agreement was reached to avoid the potential negative implications of a hearing over a relatively small salary difference.