'I love it here': Kiermaier thrilled to still be a Ray

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – When the clock struck 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, and the lockout was lifted and the business of baseball officially resumed, Kevin Kiermaier fought the urge to immediately text Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander. It had been 99 days since Tampa Bay’s longtime center fielder could talk about his future with the executive who might change it, and he was eager for answers.

But Kiermaier said he recognized the busy moment required a “certain feel” and decided to “let the dust settle” before reaching out. His resolve lasted all of about two hours.

Around 9 p.m., Kiermaier texted his agent to ask if he would get a feel from Neander regarding where he stood in the Rays’ plans. And Friday morning, Neander called Kiermaier with the news he’d been hoping for since his name was once again floated in trade rumors just before the lockout began: “Hey, you're a Ray. Find a place in Port Charlotte. Let's go.”

Things could change at any point between the start of Spring Training and this summer’s Trade Deadline, but for now, Kiermaier remains the Rays’ center fielder.

“It was a great conversation. He's been completely honest from the get-go. And as a player, that's all you can ask for,” Kiermaier said Sunday morning at Charlotte Sports Park. “I believed everything that was coming out of his mouth, and I was happy to hear what came out of his mouth.

“I know that these things might still come about throughout the season, who knows, but I love it here. I wear this Tampa Bay across my chest, and I'm proud of that. I've been proud ever since I've been here. This organization has given me the world, and I'm forever thankful for every opportunity thrown my way. And I'm so happy to be back.”

Kiermaier’s offseason anxiety came from an understandable place. In the days leading up to the lockout and its accompanying transactions freeze, the Rays discussed trades involving two prominent position players: Joey Wendle and Kiermaier. Wendle was dealt to the Marlins for outfield prospect Kameron Misner, while Kiermaier -- who drew interest from the Cubs and Phillies, at least -- stayed put. His uncertainty lingered for more than three months.

“He's been a special player in this league for a long time. He's seen his teammates, former teammates, deal with some of this. He's dealt with it,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “This isn't the first time that he's heard trade speculation. … He's got a good way that, when it's time to get on the field, he'll be ready to go. Very confident in that.”

It’s still possible a deal could come to fruition at some point. It only takes one phone call, or one injury in another camp, to change the tenor of whatever conversations Neander and general manager Peter Bendix have had with other clubs about Kiermaier and/or fellow outfielder Austin Meadows.

Kiermaier and Meadows are intriguing trade candidates for different reasons, although a few are the same. For one, the Rays seemingly have a surplus of MLB-ready outfielders in Kiermaier, Meadows, Randy Arozarena, Manuel Margot, Brett Phillips, prospect Josh Lowe and super-utility prospect Vidal Bruján. And this is the way Tampa Bay often does business, flipping older and increasingly expensive players near the peak of their value to address other areas of immediate or long-term need.

Over the last three years, Meadows has slashed .256/.334/.493 with 64 homers and 208 RBIs in 316 games. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter launched 33 homers with 89 RBIs in 2019 and drove in 106 runs while going deep 27 times last season. He’s also entering his arbitration-eligible years, projected by MLB Trade Rumors to earn $4.3 million this season and more than that each of the next two seasons. Meadows has done his best to learn where he stands with the Rays and avoid worrying about any rumors.

“Erik's really good about that open line of communication as well. He's very transparent,” Meadows said. “Just happy to be here, happy to be a Ray, happy to be back in Spring Training. That's about as much as you can control.”

Kiermaier, who’s been with the Rays since they selected him in the 31st round of the 2010 MLB Draft, is still among the best defensive outfielders in the Majors. His defense, energy and clubhouse leadership were critical as the Rays returned to the postseason each of the last three years. He’s due a team-high $12 million this year, when he’ll turn 32, with a $13 million club option (or $2.5 million buyout) for next season.

But the Rays aren’t likely to make a trade just for the sake of doing so, especially not with such productive players. They haven’t traded Kiermaier yet, despite the rounds of rumors Cash mentioned, because no other club has offered enough to match the value they see in keeping the Platinum Glove-winning center fielder. Not yet, anyway.

“We've got a lot of talent, a lot of depth, and there's only so many roster spots. And this is why trades and certain things like that are a thing. Always have been, always will,” Kiermaier said. “Any day where I'm able to represent this organization, wear their name across my chest, I'm happy. I'm proud of it and always will be. But for the time being, I'm a Ray and I expect to be a Ray until that changes.”

There’s another reason Kiermaier was as happy as anyone in Rays camp as he reported to Spring Training on Sunday. He believes they’re bound for big things again -- and he’d like to be a part of them.

“If we can be consistent and stay healthy, we're dangerous. We've been like that, and I don't think we're the underdogs anymore,” Kiermaier said. “The winning way is going to continue here. There's just too much talent. Our culture, environment is outstanding. … I expect great things out of this group, and we control that.”