In a media scrum Wednesday afternoon, Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said Colby Rasmus and Matt Duffy both took part in workouts at Tropicana Field, and both made progress. Both were scheduled to work out again on Wednesday.
Rasmus and Duffy joined five other players — Brad Boxberger, Nathan Eovaldi, Kevin Gadea, Wilson Ramos and Shawn Tolleson — on the disabled list to start the season. Gadea, Tolleson, Eovaldi and Ramos are all on the 60-day DL, while the other three are expected to return sooner.
Encouraging news that they’re recovering and feeling good during their rehab and their drills on the field, Cash said.
Duffy is recovering from left heel surgery, and will start the final leg of his rehab once he’s able to run, which should be around the time the team returns from their current road trip, i.e. next Tuesday if all goes well.
Don’t know (if he’ll run then), Cash said. We’re (five) days away. Hopefully he is, but if he isn’t (ready), it isn’t the end of the world.
On the contrary, when Duffy starts running is — if I may — a pretty big deal. Tim Beckham has already posted a -15 wRC, and a -0.2 WAR, in Duffy’s absence. It certainly doesn’t help that he made a critical error during Wednesday’s game, one that directly led to a pair of runs. The sooner Duffy returns, the sooner the middle infield defense can shore itself up.
As I mentioned the other day, Rasmus got banged up Thursday during an outfield collision in a rehab start with the Charlotte Stone Crabs. The outfielder later told reporters that he is “day to day.”
Rasmus will primarily play left-field once he returns. Currently the position has been occupied by Mallex Smith (who is expected to be optioned back to Triple-A), Peter Bourjos and Corey Dickerson.
Boxberger (right flexor strain) has advanced to where he can participate in sock drills.
Rays franchise increases to $825-Million
Forbes magazine, in its annual franchise valuations issue (released Tuesday), said the Rays are now valued at an $825-Million — up from $650-Million last season — an increase of 27% over last season. Still, Tampa Bay is the lowest of the 30 major-league teams.
What’s frankly amazing, with all of their financial problems, the Rays were able to stay afloat operating in 2016 on an income of $32.1 million with revenues at $205 million according to Forbes. The Rays could bolster their position when they sign a new local TV deal, as well as when they get the stadium situation sorted out.
Overall, the Yankees are the top valued franchise, at $3.7-Billion.
Financial notes and explanations (per Forbes, by way of Rays Colored Glasses)
Revenue and operating income are for 2016 season and net of revenue sharing and stadium debt service.
Ownership: Stuart Sternberg purchased a 48% plurality-share of the Rays (known then as the Devil Rays) in May 2004 for $200 million from Vince Naimoli, and took over as managing general partner in October 2005. At the time of his purchase in 2004, the Rays value was $152 million, one year later it increased to $209 million.
Value of team based on current stadium deal (unless new stadium is pending) without deduction for debt (other than annual stadium debt).
- Revenue: $205 M – Net of stadium revenues used for debt payments.
- Operating Income: $32.1 M – Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
- Debt/Value: 17% – Includes stadium debts.
- Player Expenses: $80 M – Includes benefits and bonuses.
- Gate Receipts: $28 M – Includes club seats.
- Revenue per Fan: $28 – Local revenues divided by metro population with populations in two-team markets divided in half.
- Market: $173 M – Portion of franchise’s value attributable to its city and market size.
- Stadium: $110 M – Portion of franchise’s value attributable to its stadium.
- Brand: $51 M – Portion of franchise’s value attributable to its brand.
The best scenario for the Rays to increase their total revenue will come from a new stadium that is constructed to meet the needs not only for baseball, but also for other sports and offseason projects. Additionally a new television pact, where the Rays could possible own a percentage of the network would also add additional revenues.
For more on the report, see Forbes.