Rays Stadium Saga: Tropicana Field Redevelopment, Explained

On July 14 of last year, Tampa Bay Times writer Josh Solomon shined a light on an important aspect of the Rays Stadium Saga: redevelopment of the 86-acres under Tropicana Field and its parking lots. In his article titled, “St.

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MLB teams that gained or lost draft picks via qualifying offer free agents

Now that Marcell Ozuna has signed, all 10 of the players who were issued a one-year, $17.8M qualifying offer in November have settled on teams for the 2020 season.  Of that group, two (Jose Abreu of the White Sox and

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Rays pitcher Blake Snell feels Astros stealing signs is worse than PED use

Tampa Bay Rays pitchers Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow can be added to the growing list of players who feel some members of the Houston Astros organization got off too easily. Snell and Glasnow discussed the Astros’ cheating scandal following

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Rays avoid arbitration with reliever Chaz Roe, settle at $2.19M

The Rays and reliever Chaz Roe have avoided arbitration with an agreement worth $2,185,200, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. That’s in line with the $2.2M salary MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projected at the outset of the offseason. The slider-heavy, right-handed Roe

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How each AL team addressed its weakest position this offseason

We took a look Sunday at what the National League’s teams have done to improve their weakest position (as per bWAR) from the past season, and now let’s turn our attention to the 15 American League clubs…. Angels (Catcher, -0.7

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Taking stock of the MLB center field market

We’ve glanced in at a few areas of the player market to see what’s left after a busy first few months of the offseason. With a New Year’s freeze in effect on the news cycle, let’s do the same for

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Remaining offseason needs: AL East

With the new year upon us, MLBTR is going through all 30 teams’ remaining needs by division.  We’ve already checked in on the NL East, AL West, AL Central, NL Central, and NL West. That leaves the American League East

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Taking stock of MLB’s first base market

We’ve seen a few teams plug needs at the first base position thus far. But others have unfilled openings — or, alternatively, could pursue upgrades as a means of plugging in some desired offense. On the supply side … well,

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Top 25 offseason trade candidates: Late-2019 update

Since our initial top trade list of the offseason, we’ve seen a fair bit of activity on that front. Among those who were ranked or otherwise noted, the following ended up on the move: Omar Narvaez, Dylan Bundy, Corey Kluber,

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Japanese star Yoshitomo Tsutsugo signs two-year, $12M deal with Rays

While the Tampa Bay Rays came out of the winter meetings without any moves, it didn’t take long after for them to strike. The team has signed Japanese star outfielder Yoshitomo Tsutsugo to a two-year deal worth roughly $12 million,

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Brewers to sign veteran infielder Eric Sogard to one-year, $4.5M deal

The Brewers have struck a deal with veteran infielder Eric Sogard, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic ( Twitter links). It’s said to be a one-year, $4.5M arrangement that includes an option for another campaign. Sogard returns to Milwaukee after

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Brewers reportedly interested in former All-Star Avisail Garcia

Along with the previously reported Rays and Marlins, the Brewers have interest in free-agent outfielder Avisail Garcia, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. As a member of the Rays, the 28-year-old Garcia spent the majority of last season in right field,

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Rays reportedly exploring additions to bolster outfield

The Tampa Bay Rays are looking at a variety of possibilities for improving their outfield mix, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. The Tampa Bay organization previously struck a deal that shipped out one outfielder (Tommy Pham)

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As Winter Meetings arrive, trade-happy Rays have a lot to offer

The Rays, as Juan Toribio of MLB.com rightly reports, will head into the Winter Meetings in San Diego with a laundry list of roster items in need of attention. GM Erik Neander may be looking for a backup catcher, while

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Rays hoping hitting coach Chad Mottola can help Mike Zunino bounce back

The Rays made the gutsy decision to bet on a bounce back from catcher Mike Zunino in 2020, opting to avoid arbitration with the former Gator via a $4.5 million deal while Travis d’Arnaud headed for richer pastures in Atlanta.

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Rays reportedly have interest in bringing back outfielder Avisail Garcia

Right fielder Avisail Garcia has been a popular figure in the first weeks of free agency, and his list of suitors includes Garcia’s most recent organization.  “There is interest, and engagement” from the Rays in a reunion with Garcia, Marc

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Which catchers might the Rays target on the free agent market?

With the departure of Travis d’Arnaud to free agency, the Rays have three catchers on the 40-man roster: Mike Zunino, Michael Perez and Ronaldo Hernandez. While they could get by with the former two as the tandem at the major

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With Rule 5 deadline looming, Rays have several decisions to make

The first catalyst for moves approaches with the deadline to protect prospects from the Rule 5 draft on Wednesday. The Rays accomplished a lot of fat trimming on the 40 man roster at the trade deadline with minor deals trading

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Finding landing spots for MLB stars on the trade block

MLB’s annual November general manager meetings commenced this week in Phoenix, and several big names are undoubtedly being bantered about in the desert. The GM meetings serve as a place for front offices to discuss with each other their goals

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Rays GM Neander voted MLB Executive of Year

10:38 PM ET Associated Press SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Tampa Bay Rays general manager Erik Neander has been voted Major League Baseball’s Executive of the Year. Tampa Bay was 96-66, the second-most wins in team history, despite a big league-low payroll

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Kevin Kiermaier’s 10 best plays of 2019

Kevin Kiermaier won his third Gold Glove over the weekend, highlighting his league-best defense in center field last season. Kiermaier’s 17 Outs Above Average led all American League outfielders, while his 13 Defensive Runs Saved topped all center fielders in

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Kevin Kiermaier wins his third Gold Glove; Rays free-agent predictions

Kevin Kiermaier won his third Gold Glove in six seasons on Sunday. The superlatives for the Tampa Bay Rays, and individual members of the organization, continued on Sunday when centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier earned his third Gold Glove in six seasons

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