Rays Spring Training Update, Day 32: Andriese Solid, Forsythe Named Second Baseman, Updated Stadium Deal, Etc

The Tampa Bay Rays capped off their Grapefruit League season series against the Minnesota Twins, with a 2-1 win Wednesday. Not only did they take the Knutson Cup last Thursday, the Rays posted a perfect 5-0 record against Paul Molitor’s boys. Dukes Knutson would be proud.

Rays Spring Training Update, Day 26; Rays Win 4-2, On Nathan Karns, Etc

To be certain, there is a measure of concern surrounding the Tampa Bay Rays starting rotation, and rightly so; Alex Colome has finally been released from the hospital after contracting pneumonia, Drew Smyly is starting to throw after battling shoulder tendinitis, and Alex Cobb is coping with his own bout of tendinitis. The challenge for Matt Silverman and Kevin Cash will be to cobble together a handful of pitchers plug the hole in the rotation until Smyly and Cobb return.

Highlights From Spring Training, Stadium Hypotheticals

The third day of Spring Training is in the books. RHP Roland Belisario, non-roster INF Juan Francisco and OF Joey Butler arrived at camp Wednesday, bringing the total number of arrivals to 59 out of the 63 players on the spring roster. Alex Colome — who has been delayed by visa issues in the Dominican Republic, Jeff Butler, Boog Powell and Eugenio Velez have yet to arrive, though the first full workout is not until Saturday.

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.

Six Things No One is Talking About as the Rays Stadium Stalemate Continues, Etc

It is incredibly important to get a feel for other’s opinions on this issue — especially those in the trenches. Sadly the local media has focused much of its energy on covering the city of Tampa and Rays’ point of view, only. Errant or not, here is my attempt to air the voices of others involved.