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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