With the accusations against Wander Franco likely to lead to legal action against him, it’s clear the Rays will need to go to “Plan B” at shortstop for the 2024 season.
The Rays are fortunate to have several in-house options at their All-Star’s vacant position, and utilized many of those names in 2023 after Franco was placed on leave. Those are defensive wonder Taylor Walls, top prospect Junior Caminero, and “next man up” Osleivis Basabe.
Let’s go through each of the options.
Taylor Walls
Walls played 32 games at shortstop in 2023, and has appeared at the position in 173 games (148 starts) over his three-year career thus far, totaling 419 assists and 23 DRS.