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DRaysBay

https://www.draysbay.com/ | 223 entries published

A Tampa Bay Rays Blog: Ball on a Budget

Latest Entries

Which Rays player do you love the most on the 2026 roster?

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! Don’t say a prospect unless they are on the 40-man roster! But even then, be careful… […]

MLB

about 1 month ago | 4 reads

2026 DRaysBay Community Prospect List: Vote for No. 18

Previous Winner Trevor Harrison, RHP20 | 6’4” | 225A | 2.61 ERA, 3.26 FIP, 82.2 IP (17 GS), 22.4% K, 10.7% BBA+ | 3.33 ERA, 4.26 FIP, 24.1 IP (5 GS), 23.8% K, 12.4% BB Harrison entered the season as Baseball America’s top pitcher in the system thanks to a cleaned up delivery and high […]

about 1 month ago | 4 reads

How to watch the Rays in the World Baseball Classic

The Tampa Bay Rays will be well represented during the World Baseball Classic. The organization will have eight players representing their countries during the tournament: *prospect**acquired this off-season Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero are the most notable representatives from the Rays as both turned in All-Star seasons in 2025. Caminero in particular has been clamoring […]

about 1 month ago | 4 reads

What would make you check out on the 2026 season early?

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! Sometimes a key injury to your favorite player is all it takes.

about 1 month ago | 4 reads

2026 Starting Pitching Outlook

The Rays starters had three pitchers throw 150 or more innings in 2025 (Pepiot at 167, Baz at 166, and Rasmussen just made it with 150), which should be viewed as an acoomplishment. The last time that happened was in 2016 when Chris Archer eclipsed 200, Jake Odorizzi threw 187, and Drew Smyly added 175. […]

about 1 month ago | 4 reads

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 1 month ago | 3 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 1 month ago | 6 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 […]

about 1 month ago | 4 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 […]

about 1 month ago | 4 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 […]

about 1 month ago | 3 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 […]

about 1 month ago | 4 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 […]

about 1 month ago | 6 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, […]

about 1 month ago | 4 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 […]

about 1 month ago | 6 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 […]

about 1 month ago | 4 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 […]

about 1 month ago | 3 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 […]

about 1 month ago | 3 reads

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. […]

about 1 month ago | 5 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 […]

about 1 month ago | 4 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!

about 1 month ago | 4 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 […]

about 1 month ago | 3 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 […]

about 1 month ago | 2 reads

Hillsborough Commissioners vote to support “framework” for funding $2.3B Rays stadium

The Hillsborough County Commission today unanimously approved a motion to discuss a “framework” for negotiating a deal with the Rays to build a stadium and a mixed use development on the current site of Hillsborough College, providing a first glimpse into how the stadium might be funded. Commissioner Hagan introduced a motion based on this […]

about 1 month ago | 5 reads