Tampa Bay Rays news and links: Tim Beckham an All-Star?

Off day yesterday, but it’s All-Star vote season in earnest, and the Rays are on the campaign trail. First off, let’s all take a moment to appreciate Chris Archer, who wore a Corey Dickerson sign and then went on MLB Network to argue for the inclusion of Tim Beckham.

This guy is the best. Also, there was a “backlash.” Danny wrote about it.

And the Rays press department made their video arguments for Logan Morrison.

And for Steven Souza Jr:

It’s not the music I pictured for #choosesouz, but it’s what I’ll picture from now on.

Links

• Connor Mount wrote about Mallex Smith’s notebook and preparation routine.
• Michael Martinez cleared waivers and elected free agency, and the Rays have signed well-named reliever Mike Broadway and sent him to Double-A Montgomery.
• In a surprise move, the Athletics have designated former-Ray and Oakland team leader Stephen Vogt for assignment. Susan Slusser of the Chronicle writes about how popular Vogt was and how hard of a move it was to let him go.
• Former Rays knuckleballer (h/t @neilsolondz):

• While the Rays have leaned on the four-seam fastball as an organization (think Odorizzi, Smyly, and all the other high-heat strikeout types), the Astros have gone away from it.
• Henry Druschel wrote about why MLB teams go into rebuilding phases. It’s something that the Rays have been unwilling to do, attempting to field a competitive team every year, while trading just enough of the expiring-contract assets to maintain a pipeline.
• Indoctrinate your kids early. Get them a Rays fidget spinner.