2K24: Tampa Bay Rays

[joncarlos]

I've seen Austin Hedges' name thrown around a lot. Given that this is a team that paid Jose Molina real money to post the worst OPS+ ever, I can definitely see how he'd be a guy the Rays would like.

[onejayhawk]

Jason, would you comment on the Rays' defense and starting rotation?

J

[Pogues]

With McGee likely out for a month or so to start the season, who gets the saves in April? Boxberger or Jepsen? Or someone else?

[Sour Masher]

With McGee likely out for a month or so to start the season, who gets the saves in April? Boxberger or Jepsen? Or someone else?

I have to think Boxberger, but even if it isn't him, he is the guy I'm targeting.

[Moonlight J]

Boxberger is now a Boras client. No extension possible, so the fewer saves he has on his docket when they head to arbitration, the better. Otherwise, they'll have to trade him at least a year earlier.

[YourPalChrisMal]

I have a hunch that 90% of the baseball population is underestimating just how much the Rays love Kevin Jepsen. No doubt they love Boxberger as well, but it's surprising to me how many times I've seen retreads like Frieri and Balfour mentioned without Jepsen even being listed in the conversation. I'm not sure it matters a whole lot because McGee is only out a month or so, but don't be surprised if Jepsen has more saves in that month than anyone else in that pen.

[Moonlight J]

I think at least 3 reliever end up with 5 or more saves here. You can make a case for all of the options in the back end. I may be wrong here, but I don't think Boxberger is one of those three for the reasons I stated above.

If we remove him, Jepsen makes most sense out of the gate. Balfour has been flying half way across the world to deal with his dad's declining health (and death), while Frieri's delivery is being tweaked this spring. Jepsen is what he is, and he has the magic recipe of fastball/change that brought Boxberger so much success last season.

[Sour Masher]

I think at least 3 reliever end up with 5 or more saves here. You can make a case for all of the options in the back end. I may be wrong here, but I don't think Boxberger is one of those three for the reasons I stated above.

If we remove him, Jepsen makes most sense out of the gate. Balfour has been flying half way across the world to deal with his dad's declining health (and death), while Frieri's delivery is being tweaked this spring. Jepsen is what he is, and he has the magic recipe of fastball/change that brought Boxberger so much success last season.

Welp, I got swayed into going after Jepsen instead of Boxberger, but it looks like Cash is anointing Boxberger as the lead fill in while McGee is out. Was hoping to get some early saves while Jansen is out. Ah well.

[YourPalChrisMal]

Welp, I got swayed into going after Jepsen instead of Boxberger, but it looks like Cash is anointing Boxberger as the lead fill in while McGee is out. Was hoping to get some early saves while Jansen is out. Ah well.

I don't read that quote from Cash and get "Boxberger is the closer." He said Boxberger will be in a lot of high leverage situations. To a MLB manager "high leverage" could mean "closer" or it could mean 8th inning guy as well. Cash said the exact same thing about Jepsen 2 days ago. He was asked about Jepsen and said, paraphrasing, "We love his stuff, he's mowed them down this spring, he will be in a lot of high leverage situations." I think the editor who wrote the headline for that story kind of jumped the gun a bit. Nothing the Rays have said indicates that they publicly expect anyone specifically to be the closer while McGee is out.

[Sour Masher]

I don't read that quote from Cash and get "Boxberger is the closer." He said Boxberger will be in a lot of high leverage situations. To a MLB manager "high leverage" could mean "closer" or it could mean 8th inning guy as well. Cash said the exact same thing about Jepsen 2 days ago. He was asked about Jepsen and said, paraphrasing, "We love his stuff, he's mowed them down this spring, he will be in a lot of high leverage situations." I think the editor who wrote the headline for that story kind of jumped the gun a bit. Nothing the Rays have said indicates that they publicly expect anyone specifically to be the closer while McGee is out.

Yeah, the quote is more vague than the writer of that article interprets, or rotoworld for that matter, because they took from it that Box is taking the lead.

Here is the rotoworld blurb: "Boxberger expected to fill in as Rays closer. Rays manager Kevin Cash admitted Sunday that Brad Boxberger is expected to be the Rays primary fill-in at closer while Jake McGee is sidelined."

[bryanbutler]

burch smith to undergo TJ surgery.

[joncarlos]

So... is this the Tim Beckham breakout, 9 years in the making?

[Pauly]

So... is this the Tim Beckham breakout, 9 years in the making?

Marlins relief pitching, along with just about the whole team, has been god awful. I would probably take that into consideration.

[Ryno84MVP]

So... is this the Tim Beckham breakout, 9 years in the making?

Picked him up on Thursday morning for $1 and I'm pleased with the results so far, a HR and a SB

[Sour Masher]

Anyone know what is up with Nick Franklin? I can't find anything recent. I thought he wad close to returning a week ago, but no chatter since. Is he in extended spring training? He isn't in the minors.