BaseballBiz On Deck

Mat Germain's extensive research into the Tampa Bay Rays has given him the insight to discover & assess the Top 50 Prospects in their farm system. He shares with us the gems of the Rays and the keys to their future in this episode. Those who have followed Mat here and on Blue Sky know the success of his scouting skills and will be given a glimpse into the future of the 50 Tampa Bay Rays most promising prospects. So get ready for the countdown to the future of these great players as Mat shares their history, achievements and potential to make a difference for the Rays. The big shiny Top 50 Mat’s history with the game from fantasy to blogger to dynasty baseball Mat’s expertise grew in his time with FanSided, Toronto Blue Jays & SBNation Immersion into MLB, MiLB & other broadcasts of young prospects for the Tampa Bay Rays From Pitchers to Catchers to Utility to Outfielders & DH’s, Mat breaks down all 50 of his top prospects for the Rays Pitching from Ben Peoples, Yoniel Curet & Gary Gill Hill, Who could he be another Pedro Martinez Which prospect could be a UT like Ben Zobrist How many Canadians have made it to the list How do these prospects measure up to the current Rays on the field, Taylor Walls, Brandon Lowe, Yandy Diaz Shortstops in the post-Wander Franco era How soon will these prospects make it up to the show #RaysUp More details on these prospect Mat can be found at  https://bsky.app/profile/matgermain.bsky.social You can find Mark on Blue Sky at https://bsky.app/profile/baseballbizondeck.bsky.social Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward

Gratitude -  Thank you to Canadians, including Mat Germain, for their contributions during hurricanes and wildfires in Florida and California. Excitement for upcoming 2025 Baseball Season Spring Training dates: Pitchers and Catchers Report: February 12, 2025. Truck Day: February 3, 2025 (celebrated by teams like the Boston Red Sox). Collegiate Baseball Opening Days, Division I: February 14, 2025, Division II: January 31, 2025. Rays Prospects and Player Analysis Junior Caminero: Graduated from prospect status in 2024, no longer a rookie. Carson Williams - best defensive prospect in minor league baseball (MLB executives' poll). Willaims combines elite defense and power but still developing his hitting. Chandler Simpson - Stole 104 bases in 2024, known for speed and strong hitting. Xavier Isaac - Emerging as a power hitter, possibly a future left fielder. Rays' System Outlook Prospects like Williams, Simpson, and Isaac could fill critical positions Pipeline of elite outfielders for the first time since the late 2000s Strategic trades opened opportunities for younger players to rise Drew Rasmussen Update Signed a two-year extension with the Rays Career ERA is consistently below 3.00, with a steady WHIP (~1.04) Limited innings pitched due to past injuries, including two Tommy John surgeries. Contract reflects his dual potential as a reliever or starting pitcher, with incentives ranging from $8M to $20M in 2026 Team Strength and Roster Decisions The Future of Brandon Lowe and Yandy Díaz Developing infield and outfield talent reflects a strategy for long-term success. Expect a transformative 2025 season with young talent stepping up  Fixing the Trop is it worth it? Ex-Rays – where are they now Charlie Morton – Orioles replacing Corbin Burnes Blake Snell  - Dodgers Nathaniel Lowe traded to the Nationals Amed Rosario to Nationals Tommy Pham? Cincinnati Reds  & the Tito Effect Gavin Lux traded from Dodgers to the Reds Tony Tito Francona now managing the Cincinnati Reds Tito & Kevin Cash have always built strong connections with their teams Elly De La Cruz amazing talent may grow under Tito  Waiting for another big trade for the Rays  Thanks to Mat Germain for bringing his knowledge, wit and wisdom to the show. You can catch more of Mat on BlueSky @matgermain.bsky.social Mark can be found on BlueSky at @baseballbizondeck.bsky.social & and at  http://www.baseballbizondeck.com BaseballBiz is on iheartradio, Stitcher, Apple, and Spotify  Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward

Mark Corbett introduces Brandon Noe who has been organizing the Goofy Gobbler Awards for the past five years. Brandon reflects on how the awards started as a joke but have now grown into a prestigious tradition. The Goofy Gobblers aim to bring fun and humor to the sport, poking fun at various baseball-related antics. You can find Brandon on Twitter @SportsBlitzPod. Award 1: Grandpa Politics Winner: Tampa Bay Rays & Pinellas County Reasoning: Brandon jokes that this award goes to the duo for their contentious stadium discussions, with the Rays' leadership and political maneuvering creating tension when unity was needed. Mark's Take: Mark agrees the award is fitting, emphasizing the constant political wrangling around stadium deals in baseball. Award 2: You Brought Them Award Winner: Ice Cube & Fat Joe Reasoning: The duo performed pre-game music for every home opener during the World Series, but their performance seemed awkward, failing to connect with the fans. Most reactions were of indifference or mild confusion. Mark suggests a rap battle between Ice Cube and Fat Joe might have been a better way to engage fans. He also humorously suggests an old-school battle between Mick Jagger and Steven Tyler. Award 3: Dry Turkey Award Winner: Toronto Blue Jays Reasoning: The Blue Jays had high expectations, especially after chasing Shohei Ohtani, but failed to deliver. Key players like Matt Chapman were lost, and there were no major improvements to the team. Brandon suggests they might face another rebuild soon, highlighting their underwhelming performance despite their talent. Mark agrees, pointing out the Blue Jays' inability to live up to their potential, especially with players like Biggio and Teoscar Hernandez leaving for other teams. Award 4: Drunkle Award Winner: Jenny Kavanaugh, Oakland A's Lead Announcer Reasoning: This award goes to Kavanaugh for multiple awkward moments in her first year as the A’s lead announcer, including a famous “Hey Siri, it’s not your night” comment right before a game-tying homer. She also misjudged a fly ball as having a “chance” to go out of the stadium. Mark's Take: Mark empathizes with Kavanaugh, acknowledging how tough it is to be in her position and encourages her to improve in her second year. Closing Thoughts: Brandon continues to reflect on the season's quirky moments, adding humor and unique perspectives to the world of baseball. Mark wraps up the discussion, offering thanks to Brandon for his work on the Goofy Gobbler Awards. Links & References: Follow Brandon on Twitter @SportsBlitzPod Episodes available on all major podcast platforms Just a reminder you can find Mark at @baseballbizondeck.bsky.social Special thank s to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward Website: www.baseballbizondeck.com

Early days studying architecture and design in Mississippi & New York Janet Marie Smith’s work with Fenway, Dodgers Stadium, Camden Yards, Ed Smith ballpark Janet Marie has been recognized by Cooperstown Hall of Fame in the Diamond Dreams exhibit Breakdown of 3 genres of baseball parks Renovations at Dodgers Stadium Camden Yards is the vision of Larry Lucchino – intimacy of an Old-fashioned ballpark  Governor’s support of the Orioles after losing the football team to Indianapolis Working within restrictions & a tether  Preservation & Environmental impact  Controversy of keeping the old warehouse on Eutaw Street Ballparks are not uniform with fixed architecture and field measurements Challenge of upgrading Fenway in Dodgers Stadium  3 Drivers to any project, The Schedule, The Design & the Scope of the project Stagger work on projects so that team may return to their home field each year Expansion of MLB teams with Montreal, Salt Lake & others Dodger Stadium expansion of the clubhouse this offseason – adding square footage that will include accommodating  batting cages  women mental health nutrition  Ballpark Changes Perry Barber, Umpire  Accommodations for women in the game 2000 – 2005 construction included umpire rooms for men and women to dress in separate areas and have a common room to meet PNC Park & others were built to give that room to women umpires were not used as women have not been brought up into MLB. Some of that room has been repurposed to Mascots, etc. Advancement of Women in Baseball across several different disciplines, Finance, Legal, Public Relations, Ticketing, Nutrition, Mental Health Janet Marie - sometimes best ideas come from people with background outside off sports Frank Robinson – ultimate insider – secret weapon on development on Camden Yards Larry Lucchino posits – How can the 2 smallest parks pull the greatest number of fans to the field Women in the game today, Catie Griggs, President of Business Operations, Baltimore Orioles as well as Kim Ng former GM of the Marlins Celebrating Toni Stone  You have been listening to a Women in Baseball edition of BaseballBiz On Deck, with special guest, Janet Marie Smith, Senior Vice President of Planning and Development for the Los Angeles Dodgers.   Special Thanks to Gianna Daniece & Rick Vaughn for making this episode possible. Thank you all for listening and remember , you can find Mark at @baseballbizondeck.bsky.social You may also find Baseball Biz on Deck, on iHeart, Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at baseball biz on deck.com.