TAMPA, Fla. — The first version of this column was about how, after signing free-agent catcher Danny Jansen, the Rays’ next big move likely would be to deal from their depth and trade a starting pitcher.

They did that Saturday afternoon, striking a deal to send left-hander Jeffrey Springs to the A’s.

With only one big-leaguer, righty Joe Boyle, in the four-part return, the deal seemed to be more about the future. That is, unless they plan to repurpose the $21 million they owed Springs over 2025-26.

There are still areas for improvement, as the Rays could use another outfielder and are at least open to a more offensive-oriented shortstop. However, their fervid appreciation for Taylor Walls’ defense creates a high bar for that type of move.

Most of their improvement as they seek to get back to the playoffs after a disappointing 80-82 season (due largely to an impotent offense) will be internal.

One way is to create additional opportunity for some players, such as Jonny DeLuca.

The Rays did that by shipping enigmatic and inconsistent Jose Siri to the Mets and installing DeLuca as the primary centerfielder, banking on his strong defense and more consistent offense.

Another avenue to success will be getting more out of players who had down and/or disappointing seasons.

One is July trade acquisition Christopher Morel, who looks likely to get a chance in the outfield. Another is Jonathan Aranda, who is coming off a strong finish to 2024 and seems slated for regular at-bats as the designated hitter and occasional infielder.

But the player in that category with the potential for the biggest impact is outfielder Josh Lowe. After appearing on the precipice of stardom in 2023 with an impressive combination of skills (hitting .292 with 20 homers and an .835 OPS), he was sidelined by injury last spring and never really got on track, hitting .241 with 10 homers and a .693 OPS.

“I don’t want to call it a lost season; I think there was progress as the year went on, and you learn things through those experiences, as frustrating as they can be,” baseball operations president Erik Neander at the the winter meetings in Dallas. “You start (with), is the physical talent there? Are all the ingredients still in place? Is the skill there? Yeah, without question.

“As frustrating and as disappointing as a year like that can be, sometimes it can be the best thing for a young player that already had success to go through that because of how they’re going to come out the other side. Josh has had, going through the minor leagues, it was a very steady progression. There were successes. There were some speed bumps. Every single time, he’s demonstrated the ability to get the absolute most out of those challenges, and would expect this to be no different.

“So, less about pinpointing (what was wrong), but just that this is someone we believe in, that always — when they have these struggles — is going to find a way to get through them and be better for it.”

Stadium rumblings

As the Rays stadium saga continues — with Pinellas County set to vote on the bonds Tuesday — the messaging from Major League Baseball at several levels seems consistent about keeping the team in the Tampa Bay market. … With Steinbrenner Field capacity limited (about 11,000 total) and interest high, the Rays will offer only full-season plans to season ticket members, with no partial or flex options. They just started the process of offering seats, from the most expensive down, to current members to see what’s left to sell. … Single-game ticket prices and on-sale dates will be finalized sometime after Jan. 1. …. The Rays’ payment to the Yankees for using Steinbrenner Field is $10 million, but additional improvements and upgrades could push their total cost to the $15 million that originally was reported. … There’s ongoing talk of 7:30-ish starts for night games during the rainy season, hoping to avoid pre-/early game delays. … An advanced stat-heavy Baseball Prospectus analysis of the differences in hitting at Steinbrenner vs. Tropicana Field yielded an interesting conclusion regarding three hitters who could benefit most from the switch: lefties Aranda and Richie Palacios and, surprisingly, righty Curtis Mead.

What’s next for Wander?

Rays shortstop Wander Franco on Thursday seemed curiously confident about a return to the field, defiantly telling reporters his career “is not over” while his lawyer asked for a speedy trial so Franco could report to spring training in February. After most of the 36 witnesses did not show up, the judge overseeing the trial on charges of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation against a minor and human trafficking seemingly foiled Franco’s plans by delaying the case until June 2.

Rays rumblings

Jansen will wear No. 19, while Logan Driscoll wants Siri’s old No. 22. … The Rays pitched a short-term deal to Juan Soto, supposedly with opt-outs after each season, but obviously not enough to keep him from signing with the Mets. … After seemingly defying the odds by dropping to the 14th pick via the lottery, the Rays got some good draft news: They got the No. 5 Round A competitive-balance pick that follows the first round and, pending the fate of three free agents, will be in the mid-30s overall, then added the No. 7 pick in Saturday’s trade. Overall, they should have five of roughly the first 70 picks. … With international signing pool money acquired from the Mets in the trade for minor-leaguer Sean Harney, the Rays signed 17-year-old Cuban right-hander Yosniel Menendez — who stands 6-feet-4, weighs 205 and throws 94-96 mph — for $100,000. … More than a few people noted that Willy Adames’ seven-year contract with the Giants was for $182 million, the same amount the Rays gave Franco, over 11 years, in a 2021 extension. Adames was traded in May 2021 to make eventual room for Franco. … The Rays have 50/1 odds of winning the World Series per ESPN Bet, tied with the Giants as 19th best. … Mike Vasil, the second of the two right-handers acquired from the Mets in the Rule 5 draft, has a six-pitch repertoire. … Among ex-Rays seen working in some capacity at the winter meetings: Chris Archer, Jonny Gomes and Randy Winn. ... Infielder Christian Cairo, a Calvary Christian product and the son of ex-Ray Miguel, was a Rule 5 pick by Atlanta from Cleveland.

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