Tampa Bay Keeps Manager Kevin Cash, Agree To A Contract Extension Through 2024 With A Team Option For 2025

By Jordan Long

The Tampa Bay Rays finished the 2018 season at an impressive record of 90-72.  In most years that would have made the postseason.  Unfortunately, they missed out on the playoffs.  They were 18 games behind the Boston Red Sox for 1^st place in the American League East Division and 7 games back of the Oakland Athletics for the 2^nd Wild Card spot. Even though they didn’t make the postseason, the Rays decided to give Manager Kevin Cash a contract extension.

                Cash has been with the Rays since 2015.  His record is not great at 318-330, a winning percentage of .491.  His contract was going to run out next year.  The Rays thought it was best to keep him.  Cash is under contract until the 2024 season with a team option for 2025.

                According to CBSsports.com, General Manager of the Tampa Bay Rays Erik Neander said, “We couldn’t be happier with the impact that Kevin has made on our organization, an impact that extends well beyond our major league club.  We’re thankful for this stability and the many advantages that it provides, especially the opportunity to continue learning and improving together.”

                 This past year was the best record for Tampa Bay since 2013.  That season they won 92 games and ended up as the 2^nd Wild Card team.  They won the Wild Card game and went to the American League Division Series where they lost to the Boston Red Sox 3 games to 1.

                The Rays know how valuable Cash is and needed to keep him in Tampa Bay.  They didn’t want to risk losing him after next season.  Plenty of Major League Baseball teams would be interested in his services because he can turn a team into a winner.  The Rays will now have him leading the team from the dugout for 6 more years.

                The Rays are hoping Cash can lead this team to the playoffs.  They were close this year and next year the goal has to be to make at least a Wild Card spot.  The new deal gives him time to manage this team into a World Series winner.  The Rays have not made it past the American League Division Series since 2008 when they went all the way to the World Series but lost to the Philadelphia Phillies in 5 games.  Cash wants to bring a World Series title to Tampa Bay.