:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25045395/20131008_ajl_sv7_155.0.jpg)
Tonight is Joe Maddon's eighth annual Thanksmas Dinner at 717 South in Tampa. Since its inception in 2006, Maddon has served approximately 6,000 individuals in need, per the Thanksmas website.
The event starts at 5 with Joe's famous spaghetti and meatball dinner. If you're in the mood for drinks, have one of your favorite players serve you up something to your liking. It's always a fun time and I definitely recommend stopping by if you have the opportunity.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Hope to see all of u Friday nite @ our Annual Thanksmas Fundraiser at 717 South in Tampa (717 S Howard Ave) Proceeds go to helping homeless.</p>— Joe Maddon (@RaysJoeMaddon) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysJoeMaddon/statuses/410777214704439296">December 11, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Rays Chatter:
Phil Rogers of MLB.com thinks that David Price will be traded any day now and that the Rays will get a greater haul than that of the James Shields trade last year.
Bill Chastain of MLB.com spoke with Andrew Friedman yesterday about the first baseman situation and Friedman expects to land someone within a week. The Rays GM said, "I think the conversations have reached a point where I don't see them dragging on much longer than that time period. But it's tough to say with an extremely high level of conviction, but I'd be surprised if it went past five, six, seven days."
The Rays made only one move in yesterday’s Rule 5 Draft, selecting Enderson Franco from Houston.
Check out Steve Kinsella's twitter, @Steve_Kinsella1, where he posted a bunch of soundbites from interviewing Joe Maddon at the Winter Meetings. Listen to Maddon contribute the Rays winning seasons to chemistry within the clubhouse.
<iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/124058931&color=ff5500"></iframe>
Ducky's looks like it's ready to open any day now..and Longo is in town as well right now, so hopefully we'll get an official announcement soon!
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>It's getting crazy in here... <a href="http://t.co/LQTvqVLJLG">pic.twitter.com/LQTvqVLJLG</a></p>— Duckys (@DuckysTampa) <a href="https://twitter.com/DuckysTampa/statuses/411259290432073728">December 12, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Links:
-While two agents were getting into a physical altercation in Orlando at the Winter Meetings, Scott Boras preferred to use his words and "throw shade" at Jay Z.
-Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe doesn't seem to be a big fan of the new "no collisions at home plate rule" and asks if MLB will soon ban foul balls also.
-Al Skuorupa of FanGraphs examines Minnesota Twins prospects, Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano.
-While the Rays are still looking for someone to cover first, Eno Sarris of FanGraphs describes the market value of post-hype first basemen.
-Mark Trumbo was the topic of discussion for Tony Blengino on FanGraphs and Jason Collette over at ESPN's SweetSpot blog.
-How did Seattle QB Russell Wilson find out that he had been selected by the Rangers in the Rule 5 Draft?
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Russell Wilson's reaction to news he'd been drafted by the <a href="https://twitter.com/Rangers">@Rangers</a>?? MUST-SEE: <a href="http://t.co/HVI1TgObpV">http://t.co/HVI1TgObpV</a></p>— NFL (@nfl) <a href="https://twitter.com/nfl/statuses/411258238277918720">December 12, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>