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A Tampa Bay Rays Blog: Ball on a Budget

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Governor DeSantis, Florida Cabinet give land toward Rays Stadium project

The Tampa Bay Rays announced a statement from Chief Executive Officer Ken Babby following today’s meeting of Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet: “The Tampa Bay Rays are grateful for the approval granted today by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet for the conveyance of state land to Hillsborough College for the purpose […]

MLB

2026 DRaysBay Community Prospect List: Vote for No. 21

Previous Winner Jackson Baumeister, RHP23 | 6’4” | 224AA | 4.62 ERA, 4.15 FIP (15 GS) 62.1 IP, 19.5% K, 9.6% BBAFL | 6 ER (1 HR), 9.0 IP (4 G, 3 GS), 10 K, 9 BB A shoulder injury derailed what should have been Baumeister’s coming out party, as his previously plus breaking ball […]

GDT: Do these games mean anything yet?

Let’s seize the means of production the coveted Grapefruit League title No TV covereage today, but the game can be heard through the radio. First pitch is 1:05 against the Boston Red Sox at Charlotte Sports Park.

Cam Booser and the baseball story you need to know

The Tampa Bay Rays made several franchise altering moves this offseason as they traded away Shane Baz and Brandon Lowe in separate trades made just hours apart. The deals also included Jake Mangum and southpaw Mason Montgomery. The inclusion of Montgomery was significant because the Rays have a lack of left-handed pitchers on the roster.  […]

MLB

When did you become a true Rays fan, and why?

Was it as simple as you were living nearby? I grew up on the Space Coast, just 2 hours away from Tampa and seemingly 3 from St. Petersburg, in a family that stayed loyal to the Braves over the Marlins over the years — but I was the perfect age to become a Rays fan, […]

Jake Woodford’s Outlier Traits

Earlier this offseason, the Rays signed RHP Jake Woodford to a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training. He has bounced around several teams over the last six seasons, throwing over 250 innings with a career ERA and FIP that both flirt with 5.00. On the surface, there’s little reason for excitement. But […]

Which team do you hate the most?

For me this is an easy question. Anyone who has a vested interest in the Tampa Bay Rays success knows there’s one team whose presence looms over the franchise, and soon the new owners will seek to undo decades of damage when they build a stadium that shadows over big brother. Yes, I’m talking about […]

MLB

GDT: The first Rays lineup of 2026

BASEBALL IS BACK…sort of The Tampa Bay Rays are set to play their first game of the Grapefruit League as they’ll take on the Atlanta Braves at Charlotte Sports Park. Taking the mound for Tampa Bay is T.J. Nichols, who had a breakout season in 2026 and emerged as one of the Rays top pitching […]

2026 DRaysBay Community Prospect List: Vote for No. 20

Previous Winner Tre’ Morgan, 1B/LF23 | L/L | 6’0” | 215AAA | .274/.398/.412 (119 wRC+) 402 PA, 8 HR, 8 SB, 15.9% BB, 19.2% K Morgan continued to hit without power in 2025, a great discouragement for some evaluators, but his present 50-grade hit tool and feel for the zone allow a major league projection. […]

Wander Franco renewed trial delayed

The never ending Wander Fraco saga will continue at least through the beginning of April. Juan Arturo Recio is reporting that the trial has been delayed until March 30th. Franco’s witnesses were not present, so his lawyer requested the postponement. Wander Franco hasn’t played for the Tampa Bay Rays since August 2023 when the allegations […]

MLB

Drew Rasmussen to be the Rays Opening Day starter

Spring Training games still haven’t begun but that didn’t stop Kevin Cash from declaring the team’s Opening Day starter. Taking the mound on March 26th in St Louis for the Tampa Bay Rays on Opening Day will be Drew Rasmussen. “I’m really honored. It’s really cool to get the opportunity to pitch on opening day. […]

If you could change one moment in franchise history, which one would it be?

The most heartbreaking “what if” in Tampa Bay Rays franchise history are tied to two things: losing the World Series, and trading away your favorite players. Unfortunately, that gives us many moments to choose from. Lat’s take it back to the 2008 World Series. After a Cinderella run that transformed the perception of the club […]

MLB

Which player will make a leap this 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! Every year we see a role player make the leap into a star. In 2025 that […]

Mason Englert, starting pitcher?

Last offseason, the Rays acquired Mason Englert from the Tigers for Drew Sommers, adding a flexible, multi-inning arm with option years. Englert fit that role well, posting solid results while working more than one inning in nearly half his appearances. But the interesting question is whether the Rays should ask for more. Marc Topkin reported […]

What’s one trade, signing or extension you’d make right now?

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! Imagine you’ve been given the powers of the Erik Neander, and you are allowed to make […]

Which prospects are you most looking forward to seeing this Spring?

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! Spring Training is always an exciting opportunity to see players you might never otherwise see during […]

2026 DRaysBay Community Prospect List: Vote for No. 19

Previous Winner Jose Urbina, RHP20 | 6’3” | 180A | 2.05 ERA, 3.58 FIP, 92.1 IP (19 GS), 26.4% K, 8.2% BBA+ | 2 ER (2 HR), 4.0 IP (1 GS), 5 K, 0 BB Good pitchers grow and adjust, and Urbina has done that consistently at an age young for his level. Physically he […]

MLB

Rays LHP Garrett Cleavinger drawing trade interest

Ken Rosenthal at The Athletic dropped a surprising note that the Rays lone lefty reliever Garrett Cleavinger is evidently drawing strong trade interest this week, in sourcing likely derived from a couple teams pushing for the acquisition. In a vacuum, this is totally something the old Rays would do, as Cleavinger is a short-arm reliever […]

What was your favorite part of FanFest?

The Rays new owners penned a Valentine’s Day card in their own unique way this year, hosting this season’s FanFest in tents outside Tropicana Field. Those in attendance — for which 50,000 tickets were claimed — got to shop the latest swag, hear interviews from folks like the excellent Rays Radio crew talking to players […]

Which player will take a leap this 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! Every year we see a role player make the leap into a star. In 2025 that […]