Tampa Bay Rays news and links: Spring training begins

Yesterday was the first formal day of Rays workouts, and with that comes the start of real baseball interviews from Rays Radio, starting with manager Kevin Cash and pitcher Chris Archer.

First, the part everyone wants to talk about: Chris Archer and Brent Honeywell (not recorded):

Archer, is a vocal leader. Honeywell is vocal, which is something not always welcomed from young players. Let the drama begin. Mark Topkin and Bill Chstain both have their takes.

If you want my take, it’s that we’re starved for stories right now, these guys will work it out just fine, and it’s good to have talented, confident pitchers.

In the “less drama” category, Kevin Cash talked about the entire pitching staff.

• Rays Radio continued to follow the comeback story of Jonny Venters.
• We spent all of last season asking this question: Can Alex Cobb get “The Thing” back? Now it’s a question for someone else. Travis Sawchik took a good stab at it.
• From Topkin’s notes, there’s an interesting change to the practic routine, wherein an eight foot screen now runs across the infield to encourage hitters to elevate the ball, as the Rays continue to try to partake in “the fly ball revolution.”
• The Rays are still working on the knuckleball.

• Happy Spring.

Other Links

• This quiz, recognizing silouettes of pitchers from the 90s, seems pretty fun. Probably more fun if you were actually watching baseball in the 90s. I got four. #ancienthistory
• Short Relief was dark today, rififng on the “always darkest before the dawn,” theme. Being that we’re about to have real baseball to talk about, now seems like a good time to say how much I enjoy and appreciate what the folks at BP do with the Short Relief column. Kudos to the writers and editors over there for making a unique space.
• Beyond the pay wall, but Rob Mains asked “Why are pitchers bunting less?” The answer is not clear, and the pattern may not continue, but the question is well explored.