:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66219793/EPdwzHSWoAAh536.0.jpg)
Truck day?
Tropicana Field
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) January 29, 2020
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Charlotte Sports Park pic.twitter.com/TPny2RjSPh
Port Charlotte, FL:
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) January 29, 2020
pic.twitter.com/CwskniBPTW
Truck day!
Rays News
Rays VP James Click, a respected mind in the Rays front office, has interviewed for the General Manager opening in Houston
Could #Rays lose another top exec? https://t.co/zD6d3DnSBU
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) January 30, 2020
- The story making waves this morning is that Rays President Brian Auld has verbally acknowledged the Rays legal leverage in Tropicana Field’s use agreement. To be honest, it’s a bit baffling as news: It’s not a threat to say the Rays are not without a negotiating position in the Stadium Saga.
The baseball negotiations just reached a new level. @RaysBaseball flips the script on @StPeteFL, threatening to use the empty Trop land as leveragehttps://t.co/WFFkHi1cEN
— Josh Solomon (@ByJoshSolomon) January 30, 2020
Not mentioned: #StPete's ability to go ahead & develop unused half of Trop parking lot without #Rays blessing. Legally, contract gives team little say over land outside Dome.
— Shadow of Stadium (@StadiumShadow) January 30, 2020
City has to share development $$ w/team for as long as they play there, but @Kriseman already knew that. https://t.co/LpIJVGrJFM
- Neil Solondz sat down with several Rays pitchers in the latest podcast:
Countdown to Opening Day is a week away. While you wait, catch our latest #Rays podcast with @brent_honeywell @thewizardofbaz @Sugar_ShaneM @JoshRFleming @MG_Plazz13 & @davewills34
— Neil Solondz (@neilsolondz) January 30, 2020
It's on Apple podcasts and https://t.co/nDAFWLrPSY Subscribe, rate and review!
- We now know the secret of Wander Franco’s power...
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19658320/Image_1.jpg)
- Rays free agent Matt Duffy has found a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers
The Texas #Rangers sign veteran infielder Matt Duffy to minor-league contract worth $1 million and another $1.5 million in incentives if he's on their major-league roster. He'll be in their major-league spring training camp.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 30, 2020
- Cafecito has a new number with the Rays
☕️!!!! pic.twitter.com/Vzca3QFTPX
— Cafe jr (@Cafejr40) January 29, 2020
- More information on the Scott Kazmir comeback tour
ICYMI: Comeback kid? Former #Rays, #Angels, #Indians, #Athletics, #Astros, #Dodgers LHP Scott Kazmir is working to return to majors for 1st time since 2016. “I'll do whatever it takes to get back,'' Kazmir said. "I'm on a good path.''#Mets #Braves https://t.co/ExUDHCt0B9
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) January 30, 2020
- Baseball America’s dynasty rankings are out for your fantasy baseball needs, as are the rankings from Baseball Prospectus
Other Links
- Cubs 3B Kris Bryant has lost his appeal and will have two years remaining on his rookie contract, upping his trade value for his team that is looking to get under MLB’s soft cap.
Reminder that Kris Bryant played in 151 games in the season in which he didn't get a full year of service time. He had 650 plate appearances.
— Matthew Pouliot (@matthewpouliot) January 29, 2020
The Cubs may not have acted in good faith in manipulating his service time, but they appear to have followed the letter of the law, so to speak, and did not violate MLB’s rules governing prospect service time.
While it may be difficult to appreciate a player’s frustration with being paid $20 million to play the game, consider that extra year of Cubs control is one extra year Bryant does not reach free agency, which may cost the player millions over the course of his career.
- Bad news for people who like hating the Astros: Dusty Baker got the manager gig
Interesting twist to Dusty Baker's hiring by the Astros: Because Houston is the defending American League champion, Baker will manage the AL in this summer's All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 29, 2020
- Blue Claws to institute White Claw Wednesdays... your move, Stone Crabs!
- This Astros fan says he graphed the 2017 trash can hits from the Banghazi scandal:
I’m an Astros fan. To understand the scope of the Astros cheating & the players involved, I logged every trashcan bang from every Astros 2017 home game w/ video available. Over 8,200 pitches watched and over 1,100 trashcan bangs found. The results are at https://t.co/kVtisgUo74.
— Tony Adams (@adams_at) January 29, 2020
On that note...
- RJ Anderson: Why MLB’s credibility problem is only getting worse under commissioner Rob Manfred
- Rob Arthur: The Banging Scheme Hurt the Astros As Much As It Helped Them
- FanGraphs: Walking Through a Potential Mookie Betts Trade — Also, WEEI reports Mookie Betts was offered a 10 year, $300 million deal, but his agents countered with 12 years and a $35 million AAV.
- And now your moment of zen:
#Chiefs coach Andy Reid has 9 grandkids. He was asked about them: “They keep you young. And at the same time they make you feel old. It’s kind of like sweet and sour pork.”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 30, 2020
Poetry.