Rays News and Links:

• The nastiest pitches to face, as voted on by the players - Anthony Castrovince, MLB.com

“I think it’s just mainly because of how hard he throws his fastball,” Blue Jays catcher Luke Maile said. “It comes out of the same slot, he’s got that angle and that kind of upshot heater, and that breaking ball kind of starts out as something you need to hit. Then, before you know it, he threw it 55 feet.”

• One question for each MLB club before spring training: (Will the Rays add an arm to the back end of the bullpen?) - MLB.com
• Five Tampa Bay Rays relievers who can help in 2019 - Austin Reimann, Rays Colored Glasses
• Rays infielder, Daniel Robertson, helping families touched by cancer - Eduardo Encina, Tampa Bay Times

Around the League:

• David Wright named Special Assistant to Jeff Wilpon and Brodie Van Wagenen - Linda Surovich, Amazin’ Avenue
• White Sox sign John Jay to one year deal - Eric Cole, MLB Daily Dish
• Welcome to the South Side, Kelvin Herrera - Brett Ballantini, South Side Sox
• What does a good trade return for Nicholas Castellanos look like? - Rob Rogacki, Bless You Boys
• Troy Tulowitzky says it would be ‘awesome’ if the Yankees signed Manny Machado - Tyler Norton, Pinstripe Alley
• Twins sign RHP Blake Parker - TJ Gorsenger, Twinkie Town
• Milwaukee Brewers continue to have substantial trade talks for Madison Bumgarner, per report - David Gibson, Brew Crew Ball
• Technology has transformed hitting coaching faster than expected - J.J. Cooper, Baseball America
• A Walk-Off binds Babe Ruth and the 1919 White Sox - Mark Simon, Mark Simon Sports

On this Date in Rays History

• 2000 - The Rays signed Juan Guzman to a two year deal, with an option for a third season.

“Juan brings not only outstanding pitching credentials but a tremendous competitive spirit and the experience of pitching for championship ballclubs,” Devil Rays general manager Chuck LaMar said. “We think this is another step toward our goal of bringing a championship to the Tampa Bay area.”

• 2001 - Rays trade RHP Cory Lidle to the Oakland Athletics and RHP Roberto Hernandez to the Kansas City Royals. Receive OF Ben Grieve from the Oakland Athletics. The Kansas City Royals send OF Johnny Damon and INF Mark Ellis to the Athletics for SS Angel Berroa and C A.J. Hinch

• 2011 - Rays trade RHP Matt Garza, OF Fernando Perez, and LHP Zac Rosscup to the Chicago Cubs for RHP Chris Archer, C Robison Chirinos, SS Hak-Ju Lee, OF Sam Fuld, and OF Brandon Guyer