Mat Germain visits and we talk Tampa Bay Rays Farm, Free Agents, Erik Neander, Alex Anthopoulos & Mike Zunino

Tommy & Jimmy-  baseball jobs lost, offered & pizza


1:45  - Germain gives us a deep dive into the Tampa Bay Rays
farm system & who is coming up


2:50 – MiLBy awards – Rays Winners, Taj Bradley –
 
3:22 Taj Bradley has strong mound presence
 Bradley reminds Mat of Shane Baz
 xFIP explained - (Fielding Independent Pitching)


5:25 – Colby White ascends the Rays farm ladder through 4 levels
in 2021. Could make a strong difference with the Rays pitching in
next year.


6:04 – Depth of the Farm system reduces dependence on paying top
dollar to experienced players.


6:45 – Most teams need a plethora of pitchers. Rays were strong
with their pitcher depth compared to other teams. Not overtaxing
the arms. 


8:22 – Shane McClanahan – big ask to perform again so quickly in
postseason


9:20 – Durham Bulls – MiLB Team of the Year. Mat takes on
Baseball America staff on value of the Durham Bulls.


10:40 – Braves, their GM was courageous


11:00 – Arizona Fall League (AFL) – Scorpions – great games but
not available to be seen. Why not?“  . . . a 6 team All-Star
League”


12:00 - Curtis Mead, very close to being a major league hitter.
Will the Rays trade him?


13:00 – Matt Dyer & Rich Hill trades with the Mets.


13:30 – TB Rays, Carlos Garcia – made AFL All-Star game 


14:15 – How to break into the Rays Pen


14:45 – Joey Wendle – will the Rays keep this high quality and
versatile player?
 Other options – Keep Taylor Walls & possibly trade
Vidal Brujan.
 Joey Wendle brings the work ethic and commitment to the
job.
 Kevin Kiermaier, shouldn’t he be awarded thee Golden Glove
award this year. Was something slowing him down early last
season.


18:00 – CBA status – Collective Bargaining Agreement expires
soon. How is this impacting team ownership on their decisions to
sign, extend or trade this week. What are the Rays doing to the
exterior of the Trop.


18:35 – Rays have taken down the images of the Rays on the
outside of Tropicana Field. Dark dirge being played early? 
Let’s avoid the 1994 & 1995


20:00 – Truly – “Who’s on First?”
 Where is First Base Coach Ozzie Timmons?
 Third Base Coach Rodney Linaires is managing a Dominican
League team that has Pujols as a team player.


22:00 – Rays need a seasoned veteran player leader with the team
like Nelson Cruz, Albert Pujols, Rich Hill. 


24:45 – Tampa Bay Rays Free Agents who should the front office
bring back? Collin McHugh, Michael Wacha.
 Loss of Charlie Morton cost the Rays money, wins and
leadership for young arms.
 Shane McClanahan – “I’m a Rookie”  - sounded like a
need for help.


28:30 – Stu’s tight purse strings restricted Erik Neander from
building a stronger team


29:50 – Mat’s Favorite GM’s – Alex Anthopoulos & Erik Neander
– courage to change the face of the franchise to empower your
team.


32:00 – Mark’s Rays team – who he wants back. Nate Eovaldi,
Charlie Morton, Hunter Renfroe, d’Arnaud


34:25 – Mike Zunino – Rays rather smartly re-signed Zunino. He is
the forgotten man when it comes to catchers across MLB. “Zunino
behind the plate  . . he calls a great game” Will the Rays
bring up Pinto this year to study under Zunino.


38:30 – Rookie of the Year, Randy Arozarena and Wander Franco are
nominees. Franco is the best switch hitter since Chipper
Jones.

Thanks to Mat Germain for visiting us on BaseballBiz
Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music "Rocking Forward"
You can reach Mark @TheBaseballBiz on Twitter
BaseballBiz is also on iheartradio, spotify, apple & google
podcasts
@TheBaseballBiz on Twitter
Max is @Mat_Germain_ on Twitter.
#RaysUp