After 162 games, the Rays had a 91–71 record, but fell into a tie with the Texas Rangers for the last remaining wild card berth.

[2][3] Pitchers James Shields and Wade Davis, along with a player to be named later (who turned out to be Elliot Johnson on February 12[4]), were traded on the night of December 9, 2012 to the Kansas City Royals.

In return, the Rays acquired four Kansas City prospects: outfielder Wil Myers, pitchers Jake Odorizzi and Mike Montgomery, and third baseman Patrick Leonard.

[7] Some of the Rays' losses to free agency included center fielder B. J. Upton, who signed a five-year, $75.25 million deal with the Atlanta Braves.

[9] The Rays also lost infielder Jeff Keppinger when he signed a three-year, $12 million agreement with the Chicago White Sox on December 5, 2012.