Veteran pitcher Erik Bedard will begin his bid to become the Rays’ fifth starter Friday. (Photo courtesy of Will Vragic/Times)
The Tampa Bay Rays will take on their AL East Rivals — the Baltimore Orioles — in their first Grapefruit League game of the spring, Friday at the Charlotte Sports Park. Veteran LHP Erik Bedard will begin his bid to become the Rays’ fifth starter, with the first pitch slated to be thrown at 1:05. If you haven’t read our Spring Training primer(s), now is your chance to catch up. Part One can be viewed here, while Part Two can be read here.
Ben Zobrist, who’s working back from a tight and sore back that sidelined him the first week, faced Chris Archer in a light bullpen session, Thursday. Zobirst is on track to make his exhibition debut early next week, while the Rays will start their front line players in Friday’s opener. Joe Maddon is planning to use the regulars for about three innings before substituting.
RHP Juan Sandoval, who had been delayed in the Dominican Republic due to visa issues, finally made it to Port Charlotte Thursday. RHP Juan Carlos Oviedo and INF Wilson Betemit remain delayed.
Rays 1/28/14 Starting Lineup
DeJesus LF
Escobar SS
Loney 1B
Longoria 3B
Joyce DH
Myers RF
Jennings CF
Molina C
Forsythe 2B
Bedard LHP
We hope to see you at Star Booty Saturday, March 1st.
Don’t forget, March 1st is your first opportunity to pick up your very own X-Rays Spex “Raymones” shirt! Did you pre-order a shirt, and need to pick it up? Perhaps you missed the pre-order window altogether, and now want to snag one of these hot tamales. Join us Saturday at Star Booty, from 3:00-6:00 PM. We’ll have some assorted Smuttynose beers available for a small donation, thanks to Micro Man Distributers. Need more information to wet your whistle? Check out our Facebook event page. Spread the word!
I’d also like to announce the re-opening of the X-Rays Spex merch store. You may be saying to yourself (audibly like a creep, or otherwise), “I’m not able to make it to the soiree tomorrow, but I’d really like to order a shirt.” Well buckaroo, you can order them from the comfort of your couch, chair, stool, toilet, counter-top, etc, once again! We have a limited number of shirts in various sizes — small, medium, large and extra-large — available for $10.00 each. Please add $1.00 to the cost of each shirt if you wish to have it/them shipped to you.
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Price (14) throws during spring training at the Charlotte Sports Park. (Photo courtesy of Jonathan Dyer/USA TODAY Sports)
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 Clarksaid, 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.
The Rays put together one heck of a party Saturday, opening the doors and allowing thousands of baseball starved fans onto the Astro Turf field of the Trop for their annual Fan Fest. You know the routine by now — Rays players and prospects mingle amongst the fans, in a carnival like atmosphere. We snapped a few photos (below), and we’d encourage each of you to share your photos with us! Just shoot us an email at belowaverageraysfansite@gmail.com, and we’ll get them on the site for you.
X-Rays Spex web designer Adam with Chris Archer. Notice Adam’s shirt. Ooh-la-la, right?!Pitching prospects Mike Montgomery in the foreground, and Steve Geltz (back turned)Looking good TK, looking good.BA and Dewayne fielding questions from fans.
We also shot a little more than a minute of BA and Dewayne’s chat with the fans. The video below is a pretty interesting assessment of the state of the Rays bullpen going into Spring Training. Note: the orientation of the video sucks. Sorry.
Finally, they’ve arrived! The Raymones shirts are in, and do they ever look great. A debt of gratitude, toward our friends at Night Owls Print Shop (in Houston), is in order for the knock-up, bang-up job on the shirts. Seriously, seek them out if you ever need any print work done.
The shirt you can have, the Maddon head you cannot.
Don’t forget, we’ll be hosting a special “Raymones” shirt release party/open house at Star Booty (in St. Pete) on Saturday, March 1st from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
See, we’d like to think of things as more than just another t-shirt. In fact, we’d love to say thank you in person! If you pre-ordered a shirt or shirts, you’ll be able to pick it/them up at the open house. Fret not, we’ll have a few available for sale if you didn’t order one.
We’ll also have some adult beverages (provided by Micro Man Beer Distributors) available for a donation, for those of you who want to hang around for a few minutes, and talk all things Tampa Bay Rays, and music.
More information on this is to come. Until then, start to spread the word – we’d love to see each and every one of you!
Noteworthiness
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.
Saturday, February 22nd is the date of one of our favorite events of the year — Tampa Bay Rays Fan Fest. You can read the Rays’ official press release below. Our crack team of writers will be there covering the whole shindig, and we hope to see you too! Wanna meet up? You can follow our whereabouts via our social media platforms:
Who knows? Maybe we’ll even give away some free swag!
Stick around the general vicinity of the Trop afterward, and head to the Baseball is Good Business’ launch rally across the street at Ferg’s, at 4:00 PM. 98.7 The Fan will be in the house all day talking about the Rays and what fans can do to help the team. Baseball is Good Business will share their mission statement and vision of the Rays baseball community of the future. They’ll also give away FREE Rays tickets!
Rays 2014 Fan Fest press release:
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.-The 2014 Tampa Bay Rays Fan Fest presented by T-Mobile is scheduled for Saturday, February 22 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Tropicana Field. The event is also sponsored by Chevrolet and TradeWinds Island Resorts. Admission and parking are free.
This year’s Fan Fest will once again feature a number of activities for kids, including “Reading with the Rays,” the Sagicor Coaches Clinic with Rays coaches, the All Children’s Hospital Kids’ Interactive Zone, photos with Rays mascot Raymond and DJ Kitty, baseball activities for all ages and appearances by Rays players and coaches at various stations throughout the day.
Fans are encouraged to stop by the T-Mobile Phone-A-Friend stage to have the opportunity for a Rays player to call a friend or family member, receive the most up-to-date information on and the ability to purchase T-Mobile products.
In an effort to allow fans to enjoy more of the sights and sounds of Fan Fest, this year’s autograph process will allow fans the opportunity to receive an autograph from the specific player(s) that they want. Fans must go online to purchase a pass that will provide access to that player at a specific time frame during Fan Fest. Passes will be available for purchase at a later date. A limited number of passes will be sold for each signing player and all sales must be completed online. There will be no sales on the day of or during Fan Fest.
Proceeds from autograph sales will benefit the ALS Association Florida Chapter and the Rays Baseball Foundation. Additionally, one autograph table will be free for kids 14 and under. More than 25 former major league players will also sign autographs for free throughout the day.
Representatives from the Rays Ticket Sales Department will be available to assist fans throughout the day in the purchase of season tickets, group tickets, party area and suite rentals as well as three-, six- and nine- game Flex Packs. Rays Season Ticket Holders and Flex Pack buyers will receive special access and benefits at Fan Fest with their Rays Card (cards will be sent in February). Fans can place their reservation now toward a 2014 ticket plan or purchase a Flex Pack through raysbaseball.com to receive these benefits.
Rays Manager Joe Maddon will again hold a Thanksmas event at the 2014 Rays Fan Fest. A limited number of fans will have the opportunity to enjoy hors d’oeuvres based on Maddon’s Thanksmas meal, sample a variety of wines and talk with Rays coaches, broadcasters and MLB Alumni inside the Ted Williams Museum. Maddon has served his traditional Thanksmas meal at area homeless shelters over the last eight winters as a part of his Thanksmas initiative. All proceeds from this event benefit the Rays Baseball Foundation and Joe’s Thankmas Charity. More information regarding the Fan Fest Thanksmas event will be provided at a future date.
The Rays Charity Yard Sale also returns for a fourth year, giving fans the chance to purchase unique game-used and autographed memorabilia dating back to the inaugural season. All proceeds benefit the Rays Baseball Foundation. Rays Season Ticket Holders and Flex Pack buyers will receive premium access to the Charity Yard Sale, giving them the first opportunity to purchase available items.
Between the Rays Charity Yard Sale, Thanksmas and autograph sales at the 2013 Rays Fan Fest, $100,000 was raised to benefit local Salvation Army chapters, the ALS Association Florida Chapter and the Rays Baseball Foundation.
To promote “Reading with the Rays,” the club’s summer reading program supported by the Tampa Bay Times Newspaper in Education program, Rays players will read select stories to kids throughout the day.
In the All Children’s Hospital Kids’ Interactive Zone, kids can take cuts in a big league batting cage, try out their fastball in the speed pitch booth and swing for the fences in the Wiffle Ball Home Run Derby. In addition, at the Sagicor Coaches Clinic station, Rays coaches and staff will conduct free clinics for kids of all ages and clubhouse tours will be offered throughout the day.
The 2014 Players & Pooches calendar will also be available for purchase at Fan Fest. All proceeds from the sales will go to Pet Pal Animal Shelter.
The Rays will also use their social media accounts to give fans even more opportunities for team and player interaction and exclusive prizes throughout Fan Fest. The team’s main Twitter account-@RaysBaseball-will serve as a communication hub where fans can get up-to-date information on events happening throughout the day and answers to questions about Fan Fest. Twitter users can also have their messages posted on the RaysVision video board at Tropicana Field by using the #RaysFanFest hashtag for all messages related to the event. New at this year’s Fan Fest is the T-Mobile Club Social, a social media hub for fans.
Fans can call 888-FAN-RAYS or log on to raysbaseball.com/fanfest for more information about 2014 Rays Fan Fest.
Proof of the organizational pitching depth, eight lefties were on the mound at one time. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen that,” commented Rays skipper, Joe Maddon. (Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Rays)
The first weekend in Port Charlotte is in the books, after the Rays pitchers and catchers reported to camp Friday morning. All but two pitchers were in attendance the first day of camp, the exceptions being Juan Carlos Oviedo and Juan Sandoval — both of whom had visa issues on their return from the Dominican Republic. Also in attendance were seven catchers: major leaguers Ryan Hanigan and Jose Molina, and prospects Ali Solis and Eddy Rodriguez, Curt Casali, Luke Maile, and Mayo Acosta. Joe Maddon was complimentary of the seven, saying,
“When I was watching what I was watching today, the message was validated regarding the accountability and professionalism of our group. They don’t need me lording over them, they don’t need all kinds of stuff to be thinking about other than their jobs and how they go about their jobs. They’re great, they’re really accountable, professional people. They work well, they take care of themselves, they’re interested and engaged. What else can I possibly ask for?”
16 of the 24 position players were also in camp, including the reigning Rookie of the Year, Wil Myers, whose flight had been cancelled out of North Carloina. Myers rented a car and made the 10 hour drive to be in camp on time.
Maddon mirrored thoughts many have noted (including me), Myers will need to make adjustments in his second season as a Ray,
“Obviously he’s going to have to make some adjustments… The hope is that he stays process-oriented, that he understands that.
Of course, I want him to be the instinctive, just-go-out-there-and-play baseball player that he is — which I love about him — but also be aware and cognizant of what other people may be trying to do…
When you’re the Rookie of the Year, I think the sophomore jinx primarily is defined by some people who probably don’t work as hard as they used to or don’t adjust.”
David Price, Matt Moore, Chris Archer, Joel Peralta and Brad Boxberger threw the first bullpen sessions of the spring on Saturday and Sunday (respectively), while David Price, Jake McGee, Alex Cobb, Jake Odorizzi, Grant Balfour, Heath Bell, and new acquisitions Nathan Karns and Erik Bedard are scheduled to throw Monday. On Price, Rays beat writer Marc Topkin tweeted,
Price said first bullpen session went well: “It was awesome. … I’m in a good place mentally and physically. I’m excited.”
All told, the first weekend of the spring went smoothly.
Noteworthiness
Ryan Dempster informed Boston yesterday morning he has opted not to play in 2014. The 36-year old cited family reasons, as well as physical ailment. “I’m not gonna go out there and put my team at a disadvantage,” Dempster told reporters. “I’m at peace with my decision.” He forgoes nearly $14M in salary, which may allow Boston to spend even more.
Topkin notes: Desmond Jennings put on 10-15 pounds this off-season, with the idea of playing at higher weight since he usually loses 10 or so during year.
