The Tampa Bay Rays came one step closer to solidifying their Opening Day roster on Tuesday, acquiring utility-player Rob Refsnyder from Cleveland for cash considerations.
Out of options and holding a needed spot on Cleveland’s 40-man roster, Refsnyder has played parts of three seasons in the big leagues with the Yankees and Blue Jays in right and left field, as well as first and second base.
The 27 year-old Refsnyder once was a well-regarded prospect in New York’s farm system, although he hasn’t produced at the Major League level, performing to just a .233 BA/.306 OBP/.311 SLG/.617 OPS line over 320 career plate appearances. More recently, he had a rough spring, slashing .191 BA/.298 OBP/.362 SLG/.660 OPS in 58 plate appearances.
Refsnyder, however, offers the Rays a versatile glove and gives them another multi-position bench option next to Daniel Robertson. Tampa Bay had been looking for a right-handed outfield bat, so Refsnyder fills that need (by definition, of course) even if his offensive peripherals have lagged.
After the Grapefruit League finale, the Rays reassigned to minor-league camp the other two outfield candidates, Brandon Snyder and Johnny Field, alongside Curt Casali.
Tampa Bay’s roster now sits at 27 pending a trade or release of RHP Daniel Hudson and putting RHP Jose De Leon on the 60-day DL. The Rays have until 11:30 Thursday morning to submit a complete 25-man roster.
What’s new at the Trop this season?
Fans attending Thursday’s home opener against those Massholes will find plenty of new stuff at the Trop. As St. Petersburg’s mayor Rick Kriseman put it, the food offerings at the Trop this year are very St. Pete…(a) nice showcase of just some of what we offer in the Sunshine City!
What follows are Marc Topkin and Christopher Spata’s (Tampa Bay Times) tweeted dispatches of the new what next from the official unveiling on Tuesday.
This new burger at the Trop has sausage and potato chips on it. My chest hurts. pic.twitter.com/hZvr7jjlTA
— Christopher Spata (@SpataTimes) March 27, 2018
Also new: pic.twitter.com/YZ6eIy33hX
— Christopher Spata (@SpataTimes) March 27, 2018
I’m at Tropicana Field seeing what’s new. Here’s Ballpark & Rec, a spinoff of Park & Rec in dtsp. pic.twitter.com/F3xHwXZUoI
— Christopher Spata (@SpataTimes) March 27, 2018
#Rays reuben Cuban sandwich pic.twitter.com/WsmuFtNi9v
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 27, 2018
#Rays also have a Rumfish Grill stand featuring firecracker shrimp, mahi tacos, tuna poke and more pic.twitter.com/w2mcM1PkuO
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 27, 2018
#Rays mahi tacos and firecracker shrimp from Rumfish stand pic.twitter.com/SL54TaTGo3
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 27, 2018
#Rays fried chicken platter from Urban pic.twitter.com/y9Gy8kezsi
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 27, 2018
Maybe the coolest new #Rays food stand – for former player/current coach @roccodbaldelli. Featured item is a meatball sandwich pic.twitter.com/RQDMeR51V3
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 27, 2018
That’s the meatball sandwich from the #Rays new @roccodbaldelli deli pic.twitter.com/36Fo8aHc5N
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 27, 2018
#Rays getting creative with hot dogs at Whoa, Doggy’s stand pic.twitter.com/u1WBbybhrF
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 27, 2018
More local-tied food options at Trop for #Rays fans pic.twitter.com/C2N1FfwO35
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 27, 2018
#Rays debuting self-ordering kiosks in Porch area as well pic.twitter.com/XmeLBsUbP4
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 27, 2018
Another local St. Pete eatery with a presence at the Trop on #Rays Porch in CF pic.twitter.com/wG8ytNpMvf
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 27, 2018
Part of the outside space at Trop’s new Ballpark & Rec area, with games and drinks, plans to keep it open after #Rays games as well pic.twitter.com/NlB9HHfC8N
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 27, 2018
Cool new space at Trop, an indoor / outdoor space Ballpark & Rec from the folks who do Park & Rec in downtown St. Pete pic.twitter.com/Q5ZgNKl3tO
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 27, 2018
What was the @DuckysTampa deck at the Trop under new sponsorship this year with @TWResorts pic.twitter.com/6iwnmAxund
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 27, 2018
Another look at #Rays new Trop turf with lights on pic.twitter.com/8aACjRczYu
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 27, 2018