Projecting the Rays 2015 Starting Rotation

I don’t put much credence into projections and predictions. With that said, projections can offer quite a bit of insight into a mathematically calculated outcome, whereas predictions are a wild stab in the dark by people who look at everything face value. Predictions rarely turn out correct (see the Rays predictions to go to the World Series last year) and projections, more often than not, warrant merit.

Spring Training Camp Update, Day One

54 of the 63 players on the Rays spring roster reported to camp in Port Charlotte on this, the first official day of Spring Training. Of those players, all of the pitchers who were expected report did with the exceptions of Ronald Beliasario and Alex Colome, who were delayed by visa issues.

Why Sternberg’s “2022” Deadline Comment Means Nothing (Re-post from SOTS)

Here I was prepared to write a diatribe on Stu Sternberg’s heavy handed announcement that he will look for new stadium sites by 2022, with or without St. Pete’s blessing. Then it dawned on me, Noah Pransky (Shadow of the Stadium blog) wrote a short and concise piece on how Sternberg’s 2022 deadline is, essentially, moot — why not re-post that piece in its entirety? After all, it summed things up well, and casted shade on Stu’s glaring attempt to regain leverage in the Stadium Saga.

A Few Questions As Spring Training Opens; Sternberg On the State of the Stadium Saga

As the hours tick down from a very busy offseason to a Spring Training full of hope and optimism, there are a handful of questions that long to be answered over the course of the next 6-½ weeks. Marc Topkin wrote about three of those questions Thursday — How is the middle infield going to be set up, is Steven Souza ready, and can they make their pitch? — though I’d argue another question should be included: who will back up Rene Rivera behind the plate? In an attempt to answer these questions, I am going to piggyback Topkin’s thoughts and add some analysis of my own.

Sites and Sounds From Rays Fan Fest; Kevin Cash Presser

A mere two days before the official start of Spring Training, the Tampa Bay Rays hosted their 20th annual Fan Fest at Tropicana Field. The X-Rays Spex crew was in tow (myself, Ian, and Adam), and we collectively documented some of the sites and sounds from the unofficial kick off to the 2015 season.