I think he makes a lot of good points about attendance and finances for a team in a small market that are applicable to the Rays as well. I particularly liked this part about what would change if attendance increased in response to a winning team: "I think more people will come. But the challenge is 2.2 million instead of 1.6 million doesn't change the way we operate. Even that extra 500,000, 600,000 people, even if that's $10-to-15 more million in revenue a year . . . one win in free agency is $9 million. So you're not going to change the context....But that revenue swing between 1.5 million in attendance and 2.2 million in attendance . . . meaningful dollars but not dollars that will have us plan dramatically different."

The anniversary of Game 162 was last night, and the Tampa Bay Times put together a graphic recapping the glorious action from that night. Even a year later, I'm still blown away that I didn't dream it all.

Marc Topkin writing for BaseballAmerica (in his monthly Rays correspondence piece) picks the best player (Hak-Ju Lee), best pitcher (Chris Archer), and one to keep an eye on (Todd Glaesmann) from the 2012 season. It's insider-only, but: "Lee hit .261/.336/.360 with 37 steals for Double-A Montgomery in his first full season above Class A, but the most impressive numbers were 46—the length (in games) of his streak for reaching base—and 21, the length of his longest hitting streak. With his smooth glove and quick hands and feet, Lee should continue his ascent." I'm hoping this was Topkin picking the top positional prospect heading into 2013 and not the best 2012 season from a top-30-or-so guy, because .261/.336/.360.

Davey Martinez interviewed with the Astros for their vacant manager role and Sean Rodriguez is now available for defense, pinch-running, and trying to become the only @#$#@$ player on the team that is able to lay down a bunt in fair territory.

I did a segment today with SNY.tv to preview the Rays/Yankees series.

Mark Simon of the ESPN Stats & Info group looks at how Price has attacked some of the key hitters in the New York lineup

Matt Garrioch (of MLB Prospect Guide and formerly of MLB Bonus Baby) has put together what, from what I gather, is purely a statistical list naming the top performers in each league based on the numerical factors he believes best correlate to major league success, with some age limits thrown in to eliminate organizational filler. To take out the suspense, a number of Rays did surprisingly well: Tim Beckham - #11 hitter in IL Chris Archer - #3 pitcher in IL Hak Ju Lee - #1 hitter in SL Ty Morrison - #7 hitter in SL Kyle Lobstein - #8 pitcher in SL Jake Hager - #2 hitter in MWL Plenty of other Rays on the lists as well beyond the link.