The words “record signing bonus” and the Tampa Bay Rays just do not seem to go together. After all, given their payroll limitations, the Rays have never been a team to break the bank in any real sense of the word. They simply do not have that capability.
That perception changed last night. The Rays have reportedly inked fourth overall draft pick Brendan McKay to a $7,007,500 signing bonus. That amount is the new record for the largest bonus under the current draft system, edging out the bonus that Kyle Wright received from the Braves.
Brendan McKay has signed with Rays for $7,007,500.