RaysUp Tampa Bay Rays last week Spring Training

Mat Germain & Mark Corbett review the Tampa Bay Rays Spring
Training and get ready for the 2024 upcoming MLB season


Tampa Bay Pitching Arms

Rodriguez on board as Andrew Kittredge departs 

Phil Maton 

Jose Caballero – short stop – his speed is electric 

Ruben Cardenas 

Austin Shenton 

Rays Shortstop position evolution – Adames, Franco, Walls
& now Caballero 

 Mark misspeaks - Who is Carson Mead

Curtis Mead – 2nd or 1st base position similar to Jonathan
Aranda 

Carson Williams 

Jose Caballero – Super utility guy, aggressive steal
bases 

Mat believes Rays could reach 175 to 200 stolen bases this
season 

Chandler Simpson will be breaking records for the future on
Rays speed 

Jake Odorizzi – an old friend returns to the Rays. Not a
flashy guy maybe delivering 8K for 9. 

Kittredge – what is his future post Rays 

Waiting for Jeffrey Springs, Shane Baz, Drew Rasmussen to
return later this year. 

Pitching Rotation – Zach Eflin, Civale, Littel, (injured) Taj
Bradley 

Who will fill in for Taj – One of the 3 Jakes? 

Jacob (Wags) Waguespack 

Jacob Lopez 

Jake Odorizzi



Pitching Injured Lists across the leagues – Verlander &
Urquidy with Astros, Cole with Yankees, Bautista with Orioles,
Giolito with Red Sox 

Rays Injured Pitcher list includes – Shane McClanahan,
Jeffrey Springs, Drew Rasmussen, Taj Bradley, Shane Baz, 

Ryan Pepiot – what will his mix of pitches bring to the
game 

Rays do not need a Jordan Montgomery or a Blake Snell 

What will the Rays Infield look like 

Mainstays to build on – Yandy Diaz, Jonathan Aranda, Isaac
Paredes 

DH spot – Harold Ramirez, Brandon Lowe will Curtis Mead be
sent down to AAA 

DeLuca & Rosario join the team

 Rosario's bat adds strength to the Rays

The bench is strong 

Strength of the Rays now – 2024 season, bullpen, lineup
steadiness, strong outfield and speed on the bases. 

2024 Tampa Bay Rays season – what does the AL East look like

 PECOTA  – loaded up heavy on the Yankees at top of
the AL East. 

 At this time Mat sees top 3 of AL East most likely will
include Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays & Toronto Blue
Jays 

Banged up Yankees could be relying solely on Juan Soto 

MLB Myopia on Yandy Diaz being unrecognized because he is
with the Rays. 

Yandy Diaz – first place ranking in fantasy baseball 

Randy Arozarena – Bulked Up for 2024 – More HRs this season

NCAA brackets, 64 teams & Dickie V Cinderella stories –
You have to invite Cinderella to the ball, another reason to
enjoy the expanded MLB postseason 

Opening Day – March 28 

Minor League Season – April 2nd Rosters have to be made
out 

Durham Bulls Stadium – great atmosphere, has the look and
feel of Major League in Florida 

Grapefruit League 

Would a struggling & hungry Tampa Bay Rays fight more to
the playoffs – we don’t need 13 straight wins to have a good
season 

Don’t sleep on the Red Sox could squeeze off a playoff
position 



 Keep up to date with Mat’s tweets on X.com @Mat_Germain_


Thanks to Mat Germain for bringing the knowledge, wit and wisdom
to the show. You can catch his commentary & advice on Twitter
x.com @Mat_Germain_   
Mark can be found on Twitter @TheBaseballBiz & at
http://www.baseballbizondeck.com
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