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DRaysBay

https://www.draysbay.com/ | 143 entries published

A Tampa Bay Rays Blog: Ball on a Budget

Latest Entries

What weakness will doom this team if nothing changes?

DRaysBay works best as a place for community and conversation. Accordingly, in the lead up to the new season, we are posting “Daily Questions” in the month of February. I look forward to seeing you in the comment section! Is it the rotation, and the combined risk of injured elbows and lack of innings? Is […]

MLB

about 6 hours ago | 0 reads

2026 DRaysBay Community Prospect List: Vote for No. 17

Previous Winner Nathan Flewelling, C19 | L/R | 6’2” | 200A | .229/.393/.336 (126 wRC+) 439 PA, 6 HR, 9 SB, 20.3% BB, 27.6% KA+ | 22 PA, 4 H, 5 BB, 6 K The 94th overall pick from 2024, Flewelling made his debut at 18 years young and caught a full season (75 C, […]

about 21 hours ago | 0 reads

Who do you expect to make the Rays starting rotation?

DRaysBay works best as a place for community and conversation. Accordingly, in the lead up to the new season, we are posting “Daily Questions” in the month of February. I look forward to seeing you in the comment section! Pitchers & Catchers begin to report to Spring Training today, so I can think of no […]

1 day ago | 0 reads

Rays Your Voice: Rays sign Nick Martinez, stadium renderings released

On this week’s episode of Rays Your Voice, we discuss the signing of right-handed pitcher Nick Martinez, who seemingly will round out the Rays rotation, at least to start the year. Darby and I break down what he brings to the pitching staff, and how his signing alters the roles of other pitchers like Steven […]

1 day ago | 0 reads

Rays announce Promotional Schedule for 2026

The Rays have announced the promotional schedule for the 2026 season. Each item will be made available to the first 10,000 fans in attendance. As is tradition: The first is a schedule magnet presented by Orlando Health at the Rays Home Opener at Tropicana Field (April 6) against the Chicago Cubs. Bobblehead giveaways will include […]

2 days ago | 0 reads

Rays announce Evan Longoria number retirement for July 12

The Tampa Bay Rays have announced they will also celebrate former Rays third baseman Evan Longoria with a weekend of events and recognition dubbed, “Longo’s Legacy Weekend.” The team will honor Longoria by inducting him into the Rays Hall of Fame on Saturday, July 11 and will retire his No. 3 jersey on Sunday, July […]

2 days ago | 0 reads

Rays 2026 Catching Outlook

The Rays catching group last season performed far below the standard we’ve historically seen from them. They were one of the worst groups in the league on both sides of the ball. Thankfully, the front office spent time addressing the need at the deadline. Now, the guys they brought in will have already had experience […]

2 days ago | 0 reads

Which Rays player could surprise us with a 3-4 win season?

DRaysBay works best as a place for community and conversation. Accordingly, in the lead up to the new season, we are posting “Daily Questions” in the month of February. I look forward to seeing you in the comment section! The Rays have penciled in many starters that aren’t going anywhere — Junior Caminero, Yandy Diaz, […]

2 days ago | 0 reads

2026 DRaysBay Community Prospect List: Vote for No. 16

Previous Winner Slater de Brun, OF18 | L/L | 5’10” | 187 Drafted 37th overall in 2025, through a draft pick traded by the Rays, de Brun was essentially re-acquired in the Shane Baz trade. Like many Rays outfield prospects he’s not expected to develop much power, but compensates with an ability to hit to […]

3 days ago | 0 reads

Rays sign SP Nick Martinez

The Tampa Bay Rays have added veteran starting pitcher Nick Martinez on a multi-year contract, with $13 million guaranteed overall. He’ll slot into a rotation that features Drew Rasmussen and Ryan Pepiot as guaranteed starters, a reliever looking to convert to starting in newcomer Steven Matz, and former All-Star Shane McClanahan, who is seeking a […]

3 days ago | 0 reads

Which offseason decision makes you nervous?

DRaysBay works best as a place for community and conversation. Accordingly, in the lead up to the new season, we are posting “Daily Questions” in the month of February. I look forward to seeing you in the comment section! You’re never going to love every move the front office makes, but which one is the […]

3 days ago | 0 reads

Is this team actually going to contend or are they just pretending?

DRaysBay works best as a place for community and conversation. Accordingly, in the lead up to the new season, we are posting “Daily Questions” in the month of February. I look forward to seeing you in the comment section! Players start reporting later this week, and the roster is essentially set. Is it enough to […]

4 days ago | 1 read

Are you excited to get back to Tropicana Field, or will you miss outdoor baseball?

DRaysBay works best as a place for community and conversation. Accordingly, in the lead up to the new season, we are posting “Daily Questions” in the month of February. I look forward to seeing you in the comment section! For years folks have said baseball belongs outdoors and not on artificial turf made from coconuts. […]

5 days ago | 0 reads

Rays acquire OF Victor Mesa Jr. from Miami Marlins

The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired Cuban outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. from the Miami Marlins, adding a left handed fourth outfielder to the Spring Training mix. He has an option remaining, and will be competing with Chandler Simpson and Richie Palacios for an outfield slated to already include two left handed hitters in Jake Fraley […]

6 days ago | 0 reads

What would a successful 2026 season look like?

DRaysBay works best as a place for community and conversation. Accordingly, in the lead up to the new season, we are posting “Daily Questions” in the month of February. I look forward to seeing you in the comment section! Yes that means you get to define “success” in your response!

6 days ago | 2 reads

Previewing the Rays 2026 Infield Group

The Rays have done some shuffling among their infield group this offseason. Most notably, they traded away Brandon Lowe and have continued to prioritize bat-to-ball and plate skills over whiff-prone power bats. Gavin Lux was acquired as a stop gap at 2B, and Ben Williamson’s recent acquisition makes him the front runner to fill a […]

7 days ago | 0 reads

Which year permanently changed how you watch baseball?

DRaysBay works best as a place for community and conversation. Accordingly, in the lead up to the new season, we are posting “Daily Questions” in the month of February. I look forward to seeing you in the comment section! For better or for worse, we all have that moment that broke the glass, and changed […]

7 days ago | 0 reads

2026 DRaysBay Community Prospect List: Vote for No. 14

Previous Winner Caden Bodine, C22 | S/R| 5’10” | 200A (BAL) | .326/.408/.349 (133 wRC+) 49 PA, 0 HR, 0 SB, 5 BB, 8 K Drafted 30th overall in 2025, Bodine was acquired in the Shane Baz trade. He profiles as a relatively safe prospect thanks to 60 grade bat-to-ball skills, and comfortably-plus blocking and […]

MLB

8 days ago | 0 reads

Ron DeSantis, Rob Manfred show support for new Rays stadium at Hillsborough College

Today, Governor DeSantis and MLB Commissioner Manfred gathered with Hillsborough College President Ken Atwater and Rays CEO Ken Babby to show a united front in the effort to build a Rays stadium at the current Hillsborough College site. “Baseball belongs in Tampa Bay,” DeSantis said. “Baseball can succeed in Tampa Bay.” Governor DeSantis led off, […]

9 days ago | 0 reads