Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Jason Adam (60) pitches during the eighth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Free-agent reliever Jason Adam and the Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement on a contract, pending physical, according to a source familiar with the situation.
Adam, 30, was being pursued by multiple teams before signing with Tampa, who were intrigued by his skillset and believe he can be their latest low-cost gem. He has had a sub-3.30 ERA in each of the past three seasons and struck out 40 in his last 24.1 innings pitched last season with the Chicago Cubs.
Adam was non-tendered by the Cubs after the season and becomes the latest addition for Tampa Bay as they search for pitching depth.
Rays free agency plans: Stay active
They have expressed interest in retaining Collin McHugh and are also pursuing Freddie Freeman, though a deal to bring the All-Star first baseman to Tampa Bay was always unlikely at best for the low-budget Rays.
On Wednesday night, Freeman signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers instead.
Tampa Bay like to be creative and often have to find cheaper ways of filling holes on the roster. That is exactly what they are doing with Adam, with one source saying: “It’s such a Rays move.”