Per Jeff Todd of MLB Trade Rumors, Rays GM Andrew Friedman covered a variety of topics on the MLB Network Hot Stove show. (Read a transcript of the interview below) Friedman said that the club still feels it will be tough to hold onto ace David Price for the long haul, but that its “Mindset is to enjoy each and every day we have David here and do everything in our power to continue that relationship.” The likely ultimate scenario — a trade — could take any form, explained the Tampa GM, whose assessment of the Price situation reflects the franchise’s general operating strategy. “[W]e really can’t have any hard and fast rules about anything,” said Friedman. “So we have to be really prepared and nimble. The more prepared you are, the easier it is for you to react more quickly when things pop up. And that’s what we have to do is to remain very fluid and not ever get into a situation where we have to make a certain move. But to continue to kind of assess the market and figure out when things kind of line up in our time horizon of what makes the most sense for us to sustain success.”
The following transcript comes courtesy of Rays Index
His overall impression of the team heading into spring training:
“A lot of our coaches marveled [during staff meetings] that we had more depth than they think we had in years past…We like the depth we have. We like the balance we have on our roster.”
On whether there more pressure now or when he first started with the Rays:
“I think the good thing about playing in the AL East is really we don’t have very much pressure. We kind of fly under the radar in a lot of ways which is good for us. It kind of works with the mentality and dynamics of our group.”
On whether the AL East is still the toughest division in baseball:
“In my opinion it’s the toughest division in all of professional sports…especially when you get into the unbalanced schedule…there is a very real chance that all five teams in this division win 81 or more games.”
On keeping David Price beyond the 2014 season:
“In our situation it is obviously more difficult to retain him long-term than in other places. Our mindset is to enjoy each and every day we have David here and do everything in our power to continue that relationship.”
On preparing to deal David Price:
“The biggest thing for us is that we really can’t have any hard and fast rules about anything. So we have to be really prepared and nimble. The more prepared you are, the easier it is for you to react more quickly when things pop up. And that’s what we have to do is to remain very fluid and not ever get into a situation where we have to make a certain move. But to continue to kind of assess the market and figure out when things kind of line up in our time horizon of what makes the most sense for us to sustain success.”
Noteworthiness
- “Sternberg several times has passed along that he hears from MLB officials and other owners about their concern over the team’s lagging attendance,” writes Marc Topkin. Because of it, the players union, new executive director Tony Clark said, is watching closely as well. “In a situation where you have a club doing a lot of the right things and finds themselves in a challenging spot in trying to get people through the turnstiles, you start to think aloud, you start to wonder, okay, what considerations can be made,” Clark said, without offering specifics. Incidentally, Sternberg said sales of the ticket flex packs have “really been great.”
- In hmm worthy news, RHP Jake Odorizzi was the only Ray among Baseball America’s Top 100 prospects, coming in at number 67.
- I posted this yesterday, but it bears mentioning again:
Calling All Writers: X-Rays Spex is looking for a few good writers to share our duties with. Think you’ve got what it takes, and have an insatiable desire to write about the Rays — statistical analysis, game summaries, etc? Then get in touch with us at: belowaverageraysfansite@gmail.com. Be sure to include a sample of your writing.