The Rays Tank: Cyber-Tender Deadline

Happy Cyber Monday. Use the code "bullschamps13" to get 30% off any order from the Durham store. The entire MLB store has a buy one get the second one 50% off deal right now. And don't make a David Price/(Other Rays Player) joke here. Every fan in the comment section at mlb.com already has.

Perhaps more importantly than Cyber Monday, today is also the tender deadline for team-controlled players. Dan has an article on that scheduled for 10:00.

On March 29, the Rays will play the Montgomery Biscuits in Montgomery. Sounds like that'll be a fun event.

Scott Boras and Jason Collette both think that Jeremy Hellickson's problems are correctable.

Chris Jaffe at The Hardball Times looks at bench contributions for each team in 2013. The Rays ranked near the top of the pack position players, blew the pack away in starting pitchers, and also got positive contributions from their marginal relievers.

Says Jaffe:

Want to know why Tampa Bay was able to snag that last playoff spot? It was because its roster was so deep with talent. Alternately, roster depth killed Baltimore. The Orioles finished seven wins behind the Rays in the AL East and received 110 fewer runs from the end of their roster.

Do you think the defensive spectrum is fun? I do. Do you think it's fun to imagine Prince Fielder as an everyday shortstop. Of course it is. Filihawk does the legwork.

Beyond the Box Score now has a podcast called "The Shift." I haven't listened yet but probably will start tonight.