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The big news of the day yesterday was the roster moves. James Loney will not be with the Rays next season, although it seems like the Rays are still trying to trade him (rather than release him outright and eat his $8 million salary.) Topkin has quotes, and if you skip to the end, you will see that Loney remains a class act, after what must have been a difficult spring. Catcher Rene Rivera was also released.
Reliever David Carpenter was also released, while Matt Andriese and Richie Shaffer were both optioned to Durham. The two options are totally unsurprising. The release of David Carpenter is a little bit disappointing. I had written about his obvious upside, but now two teams have made the call this spring to let him go, so I'm inclined to trust the training staff on this one.
One player who was not traded and did make the team is outfielder Desmond Jennings. Jason Collette has the Desmond Jennings player card out over at The Process Report.
Were you worried about Evan Longoria being given extra rest recently? Did you think there was an injury? Kevin Cash says not to worry. Longo is just old.
Other Links:
- Beyond the Box Score previewed the AL East.
- Matthew Kory wrote about troubled former-Ray, former-top-draft-pick Matt Bush, who apparently now throws 100 mph in Texas.
- The Hardball Times has an eating guide for every stadium. Yes please. Erik Hahmann and Mike Lortz are featured for Tropicana. FWIW, I agree on the NYC choices. Parm is the best in Yankee Stadium. Citi is good all around, although I think Shake Shack is a bit overrated. For another option there that never has a line, go for Two Boots pizza.
Joey Rickard, a Rays minor league outfielder taken in the Rule 5 draft, has made the Orioles major league team.
Was Rule 5 draft pick from #Rays https://t.co/8Pcc1IbI4r
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 31, 2016
The Sun Sports team interviewed Jake Odorizzi during a game.
.@RaysBaseball's @JakeOdorizzi talks about what he wanted to work on most this spring...https://t.co/ilUDAukQOt
— FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) March 30, 2016
FWIW, I think Odor is right in his self-analysis. He's very reliant on his splitter, to the point that hitters adjust and are ready for it. Improving his other offspeed seems like a good priority.