Under the Orange Roof

Spring Training games have started for the Tampa Bay Rays, and St. Pete Nine's Steve Carney recaps how the start of the Grapefruit League hasn't gone the Rays' way.  He also gets into how the big name free agents spurned Tampa Bay and a chance to compete in the American League East for more money in other (some would say easier) divisions.  He also maps out some of the names that are still out there that could interest the Tampa Bay front office, and gives you a scouting report on the two newest members of the club, just acquired this week.  Finally, rumors continue to swirl about the future of a few Rays outfielders, so we discuss the possibility of losing Kevin kiermaier, Austin Meadows or Manuel Margot, and if Tyler Glasnow's hope of pitching this year hasbeen extinguished before the season even starts.

It's the 2022 season premiere, and Steve Carney starts out with a possibility that would not only shock the Rays fanbase, but also the entire baseball world: Tampa Bay could land a big-name free agent.  We get into the names that have been associated with the two-time defending American League East champs, and which could be the best fit.  Plus, hear the comments from president of baseball operations Erik Neander and manager Kevin Cash as Spring Training gets underway in Port Charlotte.

After almost 100 days, the lockout by Major League Baseball of its players came to an end on Thursday.  Steve Carney gives you the details of what was agreed to, how the game will change moving forward, and why for the majority of the work stoppage, he was unable to give you his opinions on what was going on.

It took nearly five weeks, but Major League Baseball and the Players Association actually sat down to talk for the first time since the lockout began in the beginning of December.  St. Pete Nine's Steve Carney gets into the three major points in the first collective bargaining proposal given by the league Thursday, plus talks about another possible revenue stream that could cause the players to hold off on a counter-proposal.  Steve then finishes the show by remembering Tampa Bay Rays bullpen catcher Jean Ramirez, who took his own life this week.

There are still no signs of discussions between Major League Baseball and the Players Association, so what are teams doing while the sport is in limbo.  St. Pete Nine's Steve Carney discusses some of the aspects teams are looking at improving while everyone is in a holding pattern.

Baseball Held Hostage is a special series of Under The Orange Roof, with new episodes daily until the end of the lockout.

We're finishing up the second week of the lockout today, and St. Pete Nine's Steve Carney debunks the idea of a salary floor in baseball, and explains why there won't be one as things are drawn up right now in the sport.  He also gives a different idea a much better chance of happening in these negotiations.

Baseball Held Hostage is a special series of Under The Orange Roof, with new episodes daily until the end of the lockout.

After being shelved for the weekend thanks to his COVID booster shot, St. Pete Nine's Steve Carney is back to discuss the weekend's occurrences involving the lockout.  He gets into Stephanie Apstein's article in Sports Illustrated and why it's smart that she points out that the players are letting the owners dictate the public conversation when they don't have to let them.  He also remarks on a pair of former big leaguers that have deals, and other moves that are allowed to be made while the lockout is going on.

Baseball Held Hostage is a special series of Under The Orange Roof, with new episodes daily until the end of the lockout.

Baseball's lockout has reached its second week, and finally someone has mentioned the feeling of the most important aspect of this working relationship that doesn't get a say in labor negotiations: the fans.  St. Pete Nine's Steve Carney discusses Andrew Miller's comments about the fan's feelings from this week's Starkville podcast, and how if both sides keep the fans at the forefront of their negotiations, things could be resolved more quickly.  The real question is: how long will it take before that happens?

Baseball Held Hostage is a special series of Under The Orange Roof, with new episodes daily until the end of the lockout.

With no talks scheduled between Major League Baseball and the Players Association on the horizon, St. Pete Nine's Steve Carney continues to look at other aspects affected by the lockout.  Today he talks about the help the team is giing local charities this holiday season, and how much of a boost the community is missing by not having the players able to join in.

Baseball Held Hostage is a special series of Under The Orange Roof, with new episodes daily until the end of the lockout.

After getting a note from one of his younger listeners asking about what the owners and players are really fighting over, St. Pete Nine publisher Steve Carney decides to go really big picture and show what is the biggest sticking point of the lockout.

Baseball Held Hostage is a special series of Under The Orange Roof, with new episodes daily until the end of the lockout.