Tampa Bay Rays Lose Arbitration Case Against Lock-Down Reliever

He established himself as a vital lock-down part of the Tampa Ray Rays bullpen last season, and now has been rewarded in his first year of arbitration. 31-year-old Jason Adam has beat the Rays in his case, winning a $1.775M salary for the 2023 season.

Heading Jason Adam won his arbitration case vs. #Rays, will make $1.775M rather than $1.55M team offered

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) February 11, 2023

The Rays had offered $1.55M, so Adam gets an extra couple hundred thousand. Adam and the team had talks last week about a possible extension, but they weren't able to work it out. 

Adam was virtually unhittable in 2022, posting an ERA of 1.56 while surrendering just 31 hits in 63.1 innings with a 0.75 WHIP. He also notched 10.7 K/9 with a 75:17 strikeout-to-walk ratio. 

It was by far Adam's career year, as his overall five-year marks include a 3.30 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP with 10.8 K/9.

The notoriously stingy Rays have four total arbitration cases, and are awaiting decisions on their cases against relievers Ryan Thompson (who asked for $1.2M while the team offered $1M) and Colin Poche ($1.3M vs. $1.175M), along with outfielder Harold Ramirez ($2.2M vs. $1.9M). 

Photo: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sport