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Rays Your Voice: A Tampa Bay Rays Podcast
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In this episode, hosts Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss the recent introductory press conference for the new ownership group of the Tampa Bay Rays. They share their initial reactions, emphasizing the importance of the new ownership's commitment to building a new stadium and improving fan experience. The conversation delves into financial aspects, public-private partnerships, and the future of baseball operations under the new management. The hosts express cautious optimism about the team's direction while acknowledging the challenges ahead, particularly regarding payroll and stadium development. The show concludes with predictions for the postseason and reactions to all the games thus far.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to new ownership and reactions to press conference
05:54 Building a ballpark
14:47 Return to Tropicana Field
20:43 HCC Dale Mabry Campus
38:57 Baseball Operations outlook under new ownership
57:48 Playoff Baseball Insights and Series Predictions
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In this episode of Raise Your Voice, hosts Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss the significant changes surrounding the Tampa Bay Rays, including the sale of the team and the legacy of former owner Stuart Sternberg. They explore the implications of new ownership under Patrick Zalupski, expectations for payroll and team strategy, and the future of the Rays, including potential stadium developments and branding refreshes. The conversation reflects on the complexities of ownership in Major League Baseball and the challenges the Rays face moving forward.
00:00 Introduction and Season Reflections
01:27 Ownership Change: The Sale of the Rays
05:18 Stuart Sternberg's Legacy
08:07 Cautious Optimism for New Ownership
14:28 The Future of the Rays: Stadium and Branding
33:59 The Importance of a Rays Hall of Fame
38:54 Ownership Changes and Payroll Expectations
57:46 Future Strategies for the Rays
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Context of Carson Williams' Call-Up
03:02 Evaluating Carson Williams' Potential and Expectations
05:53 The Importance of Managing Expectations for Young Players
08:54 Discussion on Ian Seymour's Performance and Future
11:55 The State of the Rays' Pitching Rotation
14:53 Future Prospects and Player Development Strategies
29:09 Pitching Prospects and Future Uncertainties
32:40 The Evolution of Pitching Strategies
35:49 Caminero's Home Run Chase
48:05 Junior Caminero: A Rising Star in Baseball
52:43 Contract Negotiations and Player Extensions
58:57 Identifying Extension Candidates
01:09:59 Future Prospects and Team Strategy
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Current State of the Team
02:55 Disappointment and Expectations for the Season
05:51 Prospects and Future Outlook
08:49 Injuries and Roster Management
11:43 Offensive Struggles and Key Players
14:47 Pitching Challenges and Team Strategy
17:54 Bob Seymour's Impact and Future Role
27:20 Evaluating Player Depth and Future Prospects
28:53 Emerging Talents: Tre' Morgan and Carson Williams
30:58 Assessing Team Strategy and Player Utilization
34:22 The Importance of Player Development and Exposure
38:37 Pitching Prospects: Yoniel Curet and Future Options
48:55 Looking Ahead: Impact Players for Next Season
50:46 Injury Concerns and Rotation Dynamics
54:06 Pitching Challenges and Future Strategies
01:00:03 Evaluating Trades and Team Direction
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Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss how the moves at the trade deadline serve as a primer for what's ahead this offseason.
02:50 Looking Ahead to 2026: Future Prospects for the Rays
05:48 2026 Starting Rotation: Who Stays and Who Goes?
11:41 Evaluating the Bullpen: Key Players and Potential Trades
19:39 Analyzing the Catching Situation: Will Anyone Stick?
33:20 Infield Dynamics: The Future of Brandon Lowe and Yandy Diaz
41:05 Is it Time to Reshape the Rays' Outfield?
01:04:27 Final Thoughts and Predictions for the Offseason
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Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss all the moves the Rays made ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.
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Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss the trade that sent catcher Danny Jansen to Milwaukee and the decision to option young right-handed pitcher Taj Bradley.
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Brett Rutherford, Darby Robinson, and special guest Brian Menendez of DRaysBay and Baseball Prospectus discuss the Rays plans ahead of the July 31 trade deadline.
One move has already been made, bringing in Bryan Baker from Baltimore to try and sure up a struggling bullpen, but there could be more incomings and outgoings from that group. Specifically, is now the time when the Rays trade closer Pete Fairbanks?
The Rays are poised to trade one of their starting pitchers, who have stayed healthy and all made their starts to this point in the season. Shane McClanahan will rejoin the rotation at some point in the second half, and Joe Boyle has earned an opportunity based on his performance in AAA and in limited big league work this year. Zack Littell and Taj Bradley seem like the most likely options to be moved. Brett, Darby, and Brian discuss which they think will remain on the team, and how that impacts the Rays rotation.
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Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss the Rays three All-Stars, including Home Run Derby participant and starter at third base, Junior Caminero.
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Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss the Rays recent successes, fueled by the best lineup in baseball over the last month. Junior Caminero, Yandy Diaz, Brandon Lowe, and Jonathan Aranda have powered an incredible run since the end of May, one that has left Rays fans dreaming of catching the Yankees in the race for the AL East.
Now that the Rays find themselves as one of the frontrunners in the American League, will they go for a big splash at the deadline, make multiple small acquisitions, or is there a shock move in the cards?
With news that a group led by Patrick Zalupski is in exclusive negotiations to buy the Tampa Bay Rays for $1.7 billion, Brett and Darby discuss the impact a sale would have on the future of the franchise.
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Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss the recent demotion of Chandler Simpson and what it means for his development.
The Rays also made a move to acquire catcher Matt Thaiss, designating the struggling Ben Rortvedt for assignment. This move, along with the decision to send Simpson down signal how the Rays front office feels about the team and their chances to compete right now.
Brett and Darby also discuss the news that Evan Longoria will be signing a ceremonial one-day contract to officially retire as a Ray next weekend. They share some of their favorite Longo memories and talk about what he represents for the franchise.
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Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss the recent struggles of Shane Baz and Taj Bradley and what that means for the Rays rotation.
Also, what is Christopher Morel's role on this team? Less than a year after the Rays traded All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes to acquire Morel, the young slugger has been reduced to a bench role for most of this season. Brett and Darby discuss his potential paths to more playing time.
Ha-Seong Kim is inching closer to his return from shoulder surgery, and could make his Rays debut next month. How will his addition shake up the lineup?
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Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss where the team has fallen short so far this season, and debate if they have the answers in-house to bring them back into contention.
While the wins have not come consistently, there are some signs of life in the way this team has hit and played defense.
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Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss a frustrating homestead in which the Rays lost three of four series against the Angels, Braves, Red Sox, and Yankees. While they have some work to do after a sluggish start, there's a lot to look forward to this season, including the emergence of players like Jonathan Aranda, Kameron Misner, and Chandler Simpson, with plenty of other young players ready to contribute.
And while this episode was recorded during the first round of the NFL Draft and a first round playoff game for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Brett and Darby use this time to share their thoughts on the other teams in the Tampa Bay Area.
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Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss the first six games of the Rays' 13-game homestand, which saw them lose a series to the Angels before taking the series against the Braves. Brett and Darby talk about Zack Hample's antics, Jonathan Aranda's breakout, Jose Caballero's role in the present and the future, and if Joe Boyle has the goods to crack the starting rotation.
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Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson break down what has gone wrong for the Rays during this four-game losing streak, and which slow starters need to turn things around quickly before the Rays dig themselves into too big of a hole.
Also, with Richie Palacios and Josh Lowe on the mend from their injuries, what will the Rays do when they need to make a decision on Jake Mangum and Kameron Misner? Is there another player on this team who is in danger of losing their roster spot?
Brett also has notes from the start of the Durham Bulls season, where he got to see Chandler Simpson, Carson Williams, Eloy Jimenez, and Joe Boyle up close and personal last week.
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Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson break down the Rays' Opening Weekend series victory over the Colorado Rockies, and some important notes they made after getting their first looks at the team in regular season action.
Josh Lowe picked up a Grade 2 right oblique strain on Opening Day, and Jake Mangum is the man to replace him on the roster for the time being. Brett and Darby discuss how the Rays will look to make up JLowe's production during his absence.
Also, what's the deal with these torpedo bats? To end the show, Brett and Darby talk about baseball's latest craze and the impact that these new bats could have on the game.
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Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss the injury to Shane McClanahan, and the major decision to have Curtis Mead start the season with the big league club and send Eloy Jimenez to AAA Durham. Those two bits of news have a lot of implications for the roster composition heading into the 2025 season.
After a disappointing 2024 that saw the team miss the postseason for the first time in six years, can the Rays bounce back in 2025? Brett and Darby make their season predictions, including standout players, team leaders, and ultimately who and what will make or break this year's team.
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Ashley MacLennan and Darby Robinson review Richard Linklater's Everybody Wants Some!!, starring Glenn Powell.
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Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss the latest in Rays news from Spring Training. There are a couple of roster bottles to keep an eye on, specifically Curtis Mead and Eloy Jimenez. Also, Brett and Darby discuss whether or not Chandler Simpson can force his way onto the Opening Day Roster.
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