11:24 PM EDT, Mon March 18, 2024
DRaysBay 10 hours ago
2024 DRaysBay Community Prospect List: Vote for No. 25

2024 DRaysBay Community Prospect List: Vote for No. 25

Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Cole Wilcox lands at No. 24. Previous Winner Cole Wilcox, RHPAA | 5.23 ERA, 106.2 IP (25 GS) 21.8% K, 9.7% BB Wilcox’s first full season following Tommy John surgery in 2021 was muted, with his strikeouts lacking the expected mid-30’s rate. Perhaps that’s because his previous high-octane fastball that earned first round money from the Padres, before they sent him to the Rays in the Snell trade, barely scratches 94 these days. Good pitchers adjust, and the new version of Wilcox was working on a groundballer’s...
DRaysBay 11 hours ago
Stuart Sternberg on payroll: Rays will take “real losses” in 2024

Stuart Sternberg on payroll: Rays will take “real losses” in 2024

Rays principal owner Stu Sternberg during the press conference to announce a tentative agreement with the City of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County for a new stadium. | Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports Threatens to “pull back” financing in 2025 if this year’s team doesn’t perform well. Marc Topkin’s Sunday Column featured the annual salary bemoaning we expect from the Rays owner Stuart Sternberg, but this time it came with a threat! After noting the Rays saved $33 million by trading Tyler Glasnow and Manuel Margot to the Dodgers, Topkin shared these...
DRaysBay Mar 15, 2024
2024 DRaysBay Community Prospect List: Vote for No. 24

2024 DRaysBay Community Prospect List: Vote for No. 24

Dru Baker lands at 23. Previous Winner Dru Baker, OFA+ | .307/.396/.491 (.887 OPS, 144 wRC+) 377 PA, 13 HR, 38 SBAA | .287/.346/.417 (.763 OPS, 105 wRC+) 127 PA, 1 HR, 11 SB Back to back seasons the Rays promoted 2021 4th rounder Baker mid-season after he dominated his level, and both times he turned in a league average performance at the next level. From a tools perspective, he’s a right handed Colton Ledbetter that trades exit velo for more stole bases. His defense has projection in center, but he needs to keep the strikeouts down as he continues to climb the ladder. His...
DRaysBay Mar 15, 2024
Tampa Bay Rays sign RHP Jake Odorizzi to a minor league deal

Tampa Bay Rays sign RHP Jake Odorizzi to a minor league deal

Photo by Ben Ludeman/Texas Rangers/ With a spot opening up in the rotation, Odorizzi has a shot at making the Rays Opening Day roster The Tampa Bay Rays have signed veteran hurler and former Ray, RHP Jake Odorizzi, to a minor league deal. Odorizzi, who will turn 34 in just a few weeks, is a Major League veteran starting pitcher with experience in 11 seasons. Originally selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1st round of the 2008 draft, Odorizzi would be part of two trades that involved the face of the franchise ace pitchers (Zach Greinke in 2010 and James Shields in...
DRaysBay Mar 13, 2024
2024 DRaysBay Community Prospect List: Vote for No. 23

2024 DRaysBay Community Prospect List: Vote for No. 23

Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports Trevor Martin is feeling 22. Previous Winner Trevor Martin, RHPA | 3.52 ERA, 110.0 IP (25 G, 22 GS) 28.7% K, 9.0% BB 2022 third round selection Trevor Martin was drafted with the profile of a high octane reliever, with a fastball up to 98 for Oklahoma State. He made only seven starts across his two seasons prior to draft eligibility, but showed up at the right time in the playoffs to turn heads with 16 K’s in 6.2 IP before the Rays selected him 104th overall. His emergence as a starter was a mild surprise, but the big bodied,...
DRaysBay Mar 13, 2024
Rays shut down Taj Bradley for 2 weeks

Rays shut down Taj Bradley for 2 weeks

Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports A pectoral strain will slow his start to the season, but isn’t great cause for concern. The Rays rotation took a blow yesterday when Taj Bradley was scratched from his Spring Training start with pectoral discomfort. #Rays Cash said Taj Bradley definitely won’t be ready to start season. Will be shut down from throwing for at least 2 weeks then need to build back up. Will consider several in camp options to replace him in rotation.— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 13, 2024 #Rays Bradley said MRI showed a pec strain,...
DRaysBay Mar 11, 2024
Should a referendum decide the Rays future in St. Petersburg?

Should a referendum decide the Rays future in St. Petersburg?

Unfortunately, it’s complicated! The Rays will be building a stadium and, with their partner Hines, redeveloping the large site around Tropicana Field with a big assist from local government, which is helping pay for the stadium and selling the surrounding land for what some claim is below market prices. Critics of this deal have maintained that most St. Pete residents don’t want to see their tax dollars used this way, with some critics (like those behind the No Home Run site) preferring to see a more market-driven approach to redevelopment. Councilman Richie Floyd has...
DRaysBay Mar 11, 2024
Outfielder Jonny DeLuca suffers broken hand, likely to miss 4-6 weeks

Outfielder Jonny DeLuca suffers broken hand, likely to miss 4-6 weeks

Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via An almost lock for an Opening Day roster spot, the Rays will now have to reconfigure their plans During the final game of the series in the Dominican Republic between the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox, outfielder Jonny DeLuca was hit in the right hand while checking his swing against Boston’s starter Garrett Whitlock. DeLuca initially took his base, but would eventually be taken out of the game when the pain became more severe. DeLuca was acquired by the Rays as part of the return from the Los Angeles Dodgers for Tyler...
DRaysBay Mar 11, 2024
2024 DRaysBay Community Prospect List: Vote for No. 22

2024 DRaysBay Community Prospect List: Vote for No. 22

Ian Seymour | @DurhamBulls You can finally stop voting for Ian Seymour. Previous Winner Ian Seymour, LHPRk | 1.35 ERA, 6.2 IP (4 GS) 11 K, 4 BBA | 1.64 ERA, 22.0 IP (6 GS) 22 K, 5 BBA+ | 2.08 ERA, 8.2 IP (2 GS) 9 K, 5 BBAA | 0.00 ERA, 4.2 IP (1 GS) 4 K, 2 BB Seymour returned from Tommy John surgery on June 29, and got a slow start with a Complex and Low-A placement at couple-inning stints, but the Rays strategy proved successful. He was able to string together 13 starts across four levels, and locked it down each step of the way. If you remove his injured 2022, Seymour...
DRaysBay Mar 8, 2024
2024 DRaysBay Community Prospect List: Vote for No. 21

2024 DRaysBay Community Prospect List: Vote for No. 21

Tre’ Morgan #18 of the LSU Tigers celebrates after defeating the Florida Gators to win the Division I Mens Baseball Championship | Photo by Tyler Schank/NCAA Photos via Tre Morgan rounds out the top-20 Previous Winner Tre’ Morgan, 1BRk-A | .396/.482/.542 (1.024 OPS, 182 wRC+ in A) 56 PA, 1 HR, 4 SB Three-year LSU first baseman Morgan was taken by the Rays in the third round of 2023 after winning the CWS, marking what looks like a great draft class on offense for Tampa Bay. He’s a strong defender at first baseman who can hit and hit consistently, even if it’s...
DRaysBay Mar 7, 2024
The Rays and the art of MLB thrifting

The Rays and the art of MLB thrifting

How the Rays thrift their way to success... In the world of Major League Baseball, nobody “thrifts” like the Rays. The Tampa Bay Rays have been above 25th in MLB payroll rankings just once since 2013 (2022, 24th). The teams they typically share the bottom of the rankings with include the Athletics, Pirates, and Marlins, not exactly the type of company you want to be around. This low budget is where the minds of Erik Neander — and, to some extent, Kevin Cash — come into play. Neander (Head of baseball operations since 2018) and Cash (Manager since 2015) have enjoyed...
DRaysBay Mar 7, 2024
Rays Reacts Survey: Who should be the Rays primary Designated Hitter for 2024?

Rays Reacts Survey: Who should be the Rays primary Designated Hitter for 2024?

Jonathan Aranda (62) is congratulated after he scores a run  | Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Tampa Bay Rays fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys. Please take our survey Check out DraftKings Sportsbook, the official sportsbook partner of SB Nation.
DRaysBay Mar 4, 2024
Tyler Alexander: The New Bulk Guy?

Tyler Alexander: The New Bulk Guy?

Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports If the Rays are known for anything it may be the development of the “bulk guy” — the pitcher who can get 1 to 2 times through an order. This year, they brought in Chris Devenski on a 1-year deal, and they also signed Tyler Alexander who last pitched with the Tigers. Both of these guys will be responsible for filling in the roles that Josh Fleming and Yonny Chirinos played last year. The Alexander move was a head-scratcher for some people, but the Rays are following a formula that has helped them in the past. When the Rays have...
DRaysBay Mar 4, 2024
Spring Training Thread Part Deux

Spring Training Thread Part Deux

Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports When the Rays do poorly, “hey it’s just practice!” When the Rays do well, “Woohoo look at that, we’re going to the Ship!” Post your Spring Training reactions below
DRaysBay Mar 4, 2024
Rays Spring Training Open Thread 2

Rays Spring Training Open Thread 2

Ryan Pepiot (44) throws a pitch | Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports Who will be on the 30-man travel roster for the upcoming weekend exhibitions vs. the Red Sox in Santo Domingo?

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