Articles
Kevin Kiermaier Has A New Batting Stance
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier has a new batting stance that has folks excited around the ball club. This is the main noteworthy tidbit for him during the spring outside of him staying healthy, as he was locked into his starting position the whole time. He has missed a lot of games the past […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoAlex Colome Will Be Primarily A Three-Out Closer For Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Rays closer Alex Colome will be used for three-out or fewer saves more often in 2018. He was asked to record multiple-inning saves in 2017, where he led the American League with six of those saves. Colome recorded an MLB-leading 47 saves in 2017, but his overall numbers elsewhere weren't as impressive as […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoRays Release Dan Jennings
The Tampa Bay Rays released reliever Dan Jennings. They will only be responsible for a quarter of his $2.375 million salary. The southpaw posted a 3.45 ERA across 77 relief appearances for the White Sox and Rays last season. He is not much of a fantasy option at the moment, especially not until he finds […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoThree Tampa Bay Rays Named To The Roster For Multiple Inning Work
Tampa Bay Rays pitchers Yonny Chirinos, Andrew Kittredge and LHP Ryan Yarbrough were told they made the team as multi-inning relievers. They will likely play a pivotal role during the games designated as bullpen games by the Rays instead of having a fifth regular starting pitcher. None of them have much value outside of very […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoAustin Pruitt Optioned To The Minors
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Austin Pruitt has been optioned to Triple-A. He was in the running for a role in the bullpen but apparently lost out. He went 7-5 in his only major league season so far but with a terrible 5.31 ERA. He is currently just not much of a fantasy option.
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoC.J. Cron And Brad Miller Situation At First Base Given More Explaination
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash revealed some more about his plan for first base playing time in the regular season. Lefthanded C.J. Cron and righthanded Brad Miller will split time. However, it was noted that it will not be a strict platoon because they like Cron so much that they want to see him […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoChris Archer Is Only A Bit Sore, All Ready For Regular Season
Updating previous posts, Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer says he is still a little sore but the swelling is down with the pain almost gone. He should be fine to start the season. Archer remains the clear ace of this four-man rotation, although fantasy owners may be a bit hesitant to invest after […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoDaniel Robertson Will Play Sunday, Ready For Opening Day
Tampa Bay Rays infielder Daniel Robertson (hand) will be back to play Sunday. His batting gloves will be fitted with protective pads on Saturday. This will leave him ready for Opening Day. His quick return is a bigger deal for the real-life ballclub than it is for fantasy. He is not a premier player in […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoMallex Smith Has Another Spring Training Shining Moment
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Mallex Smith sent another strong message to both his current owners and those looking at drafting him. In the fifth inning of a spring training game Thursday, he bunted down the first base line for a single. He then stole second base. Finally, on a chopper to third base, he got […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoCurt Casali Signs With Tampa Bay
The Tampa Bay Rays have signed catcher Curt Casali to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. He is a possibility for being part of the backup plan if Wilson Ramos gets hurt again. Casali is a one-category player as he does have a little bit of power. Casali only had nine […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoMallex Smith Looks Good After First Minor League Start Tuesday
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Mallex Smith (hamstring) played his first minor league game on Tuesday in his comeback from a hamstring issue that had kept him from game action since March 8. He would bat five times and even steal a base. He was relieved when there was no hesitation or second thought on any […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoBlake Snell Is More Focused
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Blake Snell is more focused this season. Snell had a rocky 2017 that included bad starts and being demoted. In an article, the personal issues that likely contributed are explored. The relevant part for fantasy is the suggestion that his new focus will lead to better results this season. Snell […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoBrad Miller Done With Second Base In Spring Training
Tampa Bay Rays infielder Brad Miller is done playing second base for the rest of the preseason. Where Miller plays the most often is a matter of what sources you listen to. At first, it sounded like he would be the primary first baseman, but then the Rays acquired C.J. Cron, which created doubt. Some […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoMallex Smith To Make Minor League Start Tuesday
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Mallex Smith (hamstring) will make a minor league start on Tuesday. It will be his first game action since March 8. He is still expected to be ready for Opening Day. Smith is all about speed, and he's stolen exactly 16 bases each of the last two seasons. He played in […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoMatt Andriese In The Mix For Role In Bullpen Day Starts
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Matt Andriese is in the running to fill one of the multi-inning roles that will play a key part of the strategies the Rays hope to employ during the games where they will go with a bullpen approach rather than a traditional starting pitcher. Speculation suggests they will have at least […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoMallex Smith To Get Minor League Game Before Return
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Mallex Smith (hamstring) will perform drills this weekend and then get a minor league game either Monday or Tuesday. He is still expected to be ready for Opening Day. Smith is all about speed, and he's stolen exactly 16 bases each of the last two seasons. He played in just 81 […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoMichael Crabtree Signs Three-Year Deal With Baltimore
The Baltimore Ravens signed free-agent wide receiver Michael Crabtree to a three-year deal worth $21 million. While Crabtree posted 16 touchdowns in the last two seasons, he fell off dramatically in 2017 (58 catches, 618 yards) and fell out of favor with the new coaching staff under head coach Jon Gruden. Crabtree will be given […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoMichael Crabtree To Visit Ravens Friday
New free-agent wide receiver Michael Crabtree will visit the Baltimore Ravens on Friday. Crabtree was released by Oakland on Thursday. The Ravens also had a rough day Thursday, as they had to void a contract they had agreed to with wide receiver Ryan Grant after he failed his physical. While Crabtree posted 16 touchdowns in […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoRyan Grant Fails Physical, Deal Is Void
The deal between the Baltimore Ravens and wide receiver Ryan Grant was voided Thursday after Grant failed a physical. He was supposed to be a new weapon for Flacco but now the Ravens will need to look elsewhere. Grant will now try to find another team. Grant caught 45 balls for 573 yards and four […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoBrandon Carr Has His Option Picked Up
The Baltimore Ravens picked up the option on cornerback Brandon Carr for 2018. The Ravens have questions in the secondary with cornerback Jimmy Smith returning from a torn Achilles and general manager Ozzie Newsome "stressed" Baltimore needs six quality cornerbacks on the depth chart, so it is not a surprise that they brought Carr back. […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoJake Faria Gets Roughed Up Sunday
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Jake Faria only lasted 1 2/3 innings Sunday versus Minnesota despite the plan calling for him to go four innings. He allowed five runs, with four being earned. Observers said he labored with his tempo. There was an element of bad luck, as three hits bounced off fielder's gloves and […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoMatt Duffy Is On Track To Be Starting Third Baseman
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Matt Duffy is projected to be the Rays starting third baseman, according to Roster Resource. He is hitting .333 so far this spring. In his last healthy season in 2015, he batted .295 with 12 home runs and 12 stolen bases. Duffy will be 27 years old when the 2018 […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoKevin Kiermaier Is Having A Poor Spring Training
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier is having a poor spring training. He is batting .240 and his only steal attempt led to him being caught. Despite this sounding bad, it likely will not matter. Outside of an injury, it is quite likely that nothing will matter in regards to him until the regular season […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoDenard Span A Possibility For Designated Hitter
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Denard Span is listed as the starting designated hitter, according to Roster Source. Span is coming off a 2017 season where he batted .272 with 12 home runs and 12 steals. He rarely strikes out, having not topped 79 strikeouts in a season over the past eight seasons. Span is one […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoWilson Ramos Will Be Wearing Wristbands This Season
Tampa Bay Rays catcher Wilson Ramos will be armed with more information in 2018. Rays catchers will be wearing wristbands with cards detailing information about the pitchers for the team. This move was partially motivated by the new rules limiting visits to the mound. Ramos spent much of the 2017 season fighting injuries. He only […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoChris Archer Is Feeling Better As The Spring Progresses
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer felt the best he has all spring after his outing Thursday. He allowed five hits and two runs in three innings. However, he felt the best he has and was especially happy with his changeup. He has struck out 734 batters over the past three seasons, but he […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoChristian Arroyo Looking Good In Spring Training
Tampa Bay Rays infielder Christian Arroyo has been looking good so far in the spring. Manager Kevin Cash says he will see time at second, third and short. The position that he should see the most time at is third base, which will be his "primary" position, according to Cash. It is uncertain if Arroyo […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoNathan Eovaldi Looking Good So Far In Spring Training
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi has looked good so far in spring training. In previous occasions, his fastball has been impressive and in this outing, his breaking ball was "electric" and he had a "really good day" overall. He has talent but has been erratic so far in his career. In 2014, he […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoWilly Adames On The Outside For Second Base Job
Tampa Bay Rays middle infielder Willy Adames is not favored to win the second base job coming out of the spring. Manager Kevin Cash said that Adames was on "the outside looking in" in regards to the second base starting job. In the long term it seems likely that Adames will find his home at […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years agoCarlos Gomez Arrives To Camp
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Carlos Gomez has finally arrived with the ballclub and should start appearing in games in the next few days. First, there was a visa issue that kept him away. The Rays used that time to decide what the corresponding move to make would be. He was signed after trades diminished the […]
Jamie Mellor 7 years ago