Mat Germain & Mark Corbett review the Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training and get ready for the 2024 upcoming MLB season

• Tampa Bay Pitching Arms
• Rodriguez on board as Andrew Kittredge departs
• Phil Maton
• Jose Caballero – short stop – his speed is electric
• Ruben Cardenas
• Austin Shenton
• Rays Shortstop position evolution – Adames, Franco, Walls & now Caballero
• Mark misspeaks - Who is Carson Mead
• Curtis Mead – 2nd or 1st base position similar to Jonathan Aranda
• Carson Williams
• Jose Caballero – Super utility guy, aggressive steal bases
• Mat believes Rays could reach 175 to 200 stolen bases this season
• Chandler Simpson will be breaking records for the future on Rays speed
• Jake Odorizzi – an old friend returns to the Rays. Not a flashy guy maybe delivering 8K for 9.
• Kittredge – what is his future post Rays
• Waiting for Jeffrey Springs, Shane Baz, Drew Rasmussen to return later this year.
• Pitching Rotation – Zach Eflin, Civale, Littel, (injured) Taj Bradley
• Who will fill in for Taj – One of the 3 Jakes?
  • Jacob (Wags) Waguespack
  • Jacob Lopez
  • Jake Odorizzi
• Pitching Injured Lists across the leagues – Verlander & Urquidy with Astros, Cole with Yankees, Bautista with Orioles, Giolito with Red Sox
• Rays Injured Pitcher list includes – Shane McClanahan, Jeffrey Springs, Drew Rasmussen, Taj Bradley, Shane Baz,
• Ryan Pepiot – what will his mix of pitches bring to the game
• Rays do not need a Jordan Montgomery or a Blake Snell
• What will the Rays Infield look like
• Mainstays to build on – Yandy Diaz, Jonathan Aranda, Isaac Paredes
• DH spot – Harold Ramirez, Brandon Lowe will Curtis Mead be sent down to AAA
• DeLuca & Rosario join the team
• Rosario's bat adds strength to the Rays
• The bench is strong
• Strength of the Rays now – 2024 season, bullpen, lineup steadiness, strong outfield and speed on the bases.
• 2024 Tampa Bay Rays season – what does the AL East look like
• PECOTA  – loaded up heavy on the Yankees at top of the AL East.
• At this time Mat sees top 3 of AL East most likely will include Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays & Toronto Blue Jays
• Banged up Yankees could be relying solely on Juan Soto
• MLB Myopia on Yandy Diaz being unrecognized because he is with the Rays.
• Yandy Diaz – first place ranking in fantasy baseball
• Randy Arozarena – Bulked Up for 2024 – More HRs this season
• NCAA brackets, 64 teams & Dickie V Cinderella stories – You have to invite Cinderella to the ball, another reason to enjoy the expanded MLB postseason
• Opening Day – March 28
• Minor League Season – April 2nd Rosters have to be made out
• Durham Bulls Stadium – great atmosphere, has the look and feel of Major League in Florida
• Grapefruit League
• Would a struggling & hungry Tampa Bay Rays fight more to the playoffs – we don’t need 13 straight wins to have a good season
• Don’t sleep on the Red Sox could squeeze off a playoff position

Keep up to date with Mat’s tweets on X.com @Mat_Germain_

Thanks to Mat Germain for bringing the knowledge, wit and wisdom to the show. You can catch his commentary & advice on Twitter x.com @Mat_Germain_
Mark can be found on Twitter @TheBaseballBiz & at http://www.baseballbizondeck.com
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