Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays are once again preparing fans to see the club split its home games between central Florida and Montreal, Quebec, in the near future.

Chairman Stuart Sternberg told Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times that the move is the "only option in my mind" with the team's Tropicana Field lease set to expire after the 2027 season:

"We are getting toward 2028 and you can't snap your fingers and just have the stadium show up. It's getting trickier and trickier by the year to get something done. This year certainly set things back, but fortunately we've got a strong group of people who work for us and we've got a very motivated group of people in Montreal who want us. And I think we have a plan that makes incredible sense. At least it does to me. And we're going to try to see it through."

While progress is being made in Canada, Sternberg told Topkin that he hasn't been approached by any local groups looking to build a new stadium in Florida or buy the team:

"I still hold out optimism that the local business leaders and local politicians will come around a bit and see the value proposition here in having baseball. And doing it in a way that makes a bit more financial sense and doing it in a way that makes it a more robust project here because of the complement of being in Montreal as well."

For better or worse, the chairman seems all-in on Montreal, telling Topkin there's "no plan B right now."

Built in 1990, Tropicana Field has been the home of the Rays since 1998, though the domed facility long left plenty to be desired. The location, 20 miles outside of Tampa, and the catwalks have often been cited as pain points. 

Major League Baseball previously gave Sternberg permission to explore hosting games in Montreal, but it remains unclear how such a move would work locally.

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman told reporters in June 2019 that he had "no intention of bringing this latest idea to our city council to consider. In fact, I believe this is getting a bit silly."

Montreal has been without a permanent MLB team since the Expos became the Nationals and moved to Washington, D.C., ahead of the 2005 season.

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena has been released from custody two days after he was arrested in Mexico. 

Per ESPN's Victor Alvarez, Arozarena "was released from all charges when he reached an agreement with his former partner, who determined not to take legal action against the Rays player."

Alvarez noted Arozarena had a hearing scheduled for Thursday, but it wound up being suspended as a result of his agreement with his former partner. 

Per a Tuesday report from the Associated Press, the 25-year-old was arrested in relation to a custody dispute over a child. 

ESPN's Jeff Passan noted authorities in Mexico's Yucatan state detained Arozarena "after an incident in which he allegedly tried to take his daughter from her mother and assaulted the woman's father."

Arozarena's agent, Abel Guerra, shared a statement with John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times. 

"The only thing I know is he was hyper-sensitive about making sure that the child's needs were being taken care of," Guerra said. "He was always sending money down there, and he was very involved in her life. I don't want to speculate about [anything else]."

Romano also noted the Rays were aware of the allegations against Arozarena, but they haven't publicly commented thus far. 

Arozarena was traded to Tampa Bay by the St. Louis Cardinals in January. He appeared in 23 games during the regular season and was the team's primary left fielder during the postseason. 

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena was arrested in the Mexican state of Yucatan "for problems relating to his ex-partner," according to the Yucatan state prosecutors' office. 

The Associated Press reported charges against Arozarena haven't been filed yet.

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the 25-year-old "allegedly tried to take his daughter from her mother and assaulted the woman's father." Passan noted the situation would fall under MLB and the MLB Players Association's joint domestic violence policy.

Local media outlet Yucatan Ahora shared a video that allegedly shows Arozarena arguing with a woman while holding a child in his arms. Police arrive at the scene shortly after the video begins.

The Tampa Bay Times' John Romano shared a statement from Arozarena's agent, Abel Guerra.

"The only thing I know is he was hyper-sensitive about making sure that the child's needs were being taken care of," Guerra said. "He was always sending money down there, and he was very involved in her life. I don't want to speculate about [anything else]."

According to Romano, the Rays are aware of the allegation but haven't commented.

The Rays acquired Arozarena ahead of the 2020 season. He only made 76 plate appearances in the regular season before playing a pivotal role in Tampa Bay claiming the American League pennant. He finished with 10 home runs, 14 RBI and a .377/.442/.831 slash line.

Under the MLB/MLBPA domestic violence policy, commissioner Rob Manfred can place a player on administrative leave for seven days while his office investigates any allegations. No minimum or maximum punishment is laid out, and in past cases Manfred has extended a player's administrative leave beyond the seven-day window.

The Tampa Bay Rays are open to trading former Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. 

The Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Angels reportedly are interested in pursuing the 27-year-old, who has played the entirety of his five-year career with the Rays. 

Snell is owed $42 million over the next three seasons, which are part of a five-year, $50 million deal he previously signed. That payout comes in the form of $10.5 million next season, followed by $12.5 million in 2022 and $16 million in 2023, per Spotrac. 

In a season that took the Rays to the World Series, Snell appeared in 11 games, allowing 42 hits, 18 earned runs and 10 home runs in 50.0 innings, striking out 63 and walking 18 for a 3.24 ERA. 

"I'm guessing they think this is the best chance to kill it on the market," an American League executive told Feinsand. 

This offseason, the Rays have made it clear that they're looking to add some more room financially. They declined options for starting pitcher Charlie Morton and catcher Mike Zunino, which were worth $15 million and $4.5 million, respectively, and designated Hunter Renfroe for assignment.

But the team still has a number of major contracts on the books, in addition to Snell's: centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier is owed $23.5 million over the next two seasons, and leftfielder Yoshitomo Tsutsugo is in the last season of his contract with a $7 million payout. 

If Snell were to hit the trade market, he would certainly garner interest from any teams looking to add strength in their rotation that aren't able to land National League Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer, who is exploring free agency. 

Brandon Martin, a first-round draft pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2011, was sentenced to life in prison without parole Thursday. 

Per TMZ Sports, Martin was sentenced after a jury found him guilty of a triple homicide that occurred in September 2015. 

In 2015, KTLA.com's Anthony Kurzweil, John A. Moreno, Chip Yost and Jennifer Gould reported that Martin was taken into police custody after the killings of his father, Michael Martin, and Barry Swanson, an ADT home security subcontractor. 

Ricky Lee Anderson, Martin's uncle, was found with life-threatening injuries. He later died at a local hospital. Martin was apprehended by police following a brief chase. 

On Nov. 6, ABC 7 reported that Martin had been found guilty on three counts of first-degree murder for killing all three men with a baseball bat. 

Martin, 27, was drafted No. 38 overall by the Rays out of Santiago High School in Garden Grove, California. He was released from the team's High-A affiliate in March 2015. 

Former Tampa Bay Rays prospect Brandon Martin was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder on Wednesday. 

Nathan Fenno of the Los Angeles Times and NBC Los Angeles reported the news, noting Martin was convicted for killing his father Michael Martin, uncle Ricky Andersen and alarm installer Barry Swanson with a baseball bat.

Martin was also convicted of evading arrest, resisting arrest, stealing a car and injuring a police dog.

According to Fenno, prosecutors are seeking the death penalty during the sentencing trial that begins Monday.

NBC Los Angeles' report noted Martin was released from a mental-health hold two days before the murders. Prosecutors said the alarm installer was there because the family was concerned for its safety after Martin choked and threatened his mother.

Police said Martin body-slammed a police dog and fought officers when he was apprehended the day after the killings.

Tampa Bay selected him in the first round of the 2011 draft. He never reached the major leagues and was released in 2015. Per Fenno, court records and interviews with friends indicated Martin began acting erratically in the years after he was drafted.

Right-hander Charlie Morton followed up his career year in 2019 by helping the Tampa Bay Rays get to the World Series, but the team has decided to decline his $15 million third-year option, general manager Erik Neander said, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

The 36-year-old joined the team on a two-year, $30 million deal in free agency in 2019 after two seasons with the Houston Astros, with whom he won the World Series in 2017.

Before Houston, he spent a year with the Philadelphia Phillies—a brief stint compared to his seven seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates. A 2002 draft pick by the Atlanta Braves, he made his major league debut with the team in 2008. But after 11 seasons on four teams, it was Tampa where he broke out.

In his first year with the Rays, Morton amassed a 3.05 ERA while throwing 194.2 innings across 33 starts (16-6), all career highs. He finished third in American League Cy Young Award voting and also earned votes for MVP, finishing 21st.

During the team's World Series run in 2020, the veteran made nine starts during an unimpressive albeit unique regular season, fanning 42 with 43 hits and 20 earned runs through 38.0 innings. But in the postseason, the veteran shone.

After a Game 3 outing in the ALDS in which he struck out six and gave up one earned run against the New York Yankees, Morton was stretched to two starts in the ALCS. He tossed five innings of scoreless ball, striking out five and walking one in a 4-2 defeat of the Houston Astros. He then punched Tampa's ticket to the championship series with 5.2 scoreless innings of two-hit ball in Game 7.

In February, Morton told Topkin that he wasn't sure whether he would continue his career and that a potential 14th season in the league would depend on his 2020 success.

"If I throw really well and I feel really good, it's going to be a tough decision," he said. "But if either one of those things happen, where I'm not pitching really well, or I'm not healthy, then, yeah, I'm not going to play."

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Blake Snell struck out nine and allowed just two baserunners over 5.1 innings in 73 pitches during Game 6 of the World Series on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

However, Rays manager Kevin Cash pulled Snell when the Dodgers' top of the order came up for the third time and a runner on first in Austin Barnes.

Tampa Bay reliever Nick Anderson proceeded to allow a Mookie Betts double, a Barnes run on a wild pitch and then a Betts run after Corey Seager reached on a fielder's choice to first. The Rays lost 3-1.

After the game, reporters asked Snell about Cash's move.

"For most of the game, I was dominating every outcome possible. ... I wanted to keep going. I was so proud of the way I adjusted the second time (through the lineup)," Snell said.

He also said, "I believe in me. I was dominating."

Snell struck out the first four batters he saw during the second time through the lineup. He got the first eight batters out during that stretch before allowing a sixth-inning single to Barnes.

The left-hander, who won the 2018 American League Cy Young Award, saw the move from Cash's point of view as well.

"I see both sides," Snell said.

"I don't like being taken out of any game. For the most part, I'm going to side with Cash because of the kind of manager he is. ... For me, I want to be the guy. If they beat me, that beat me. ... Cash is usually right."

The Rays have largely excelled in recent years despite having the third-lowest payroll in the bigs. Cash has played a big part in that effort, and Tampa Bay enjoyed its best season ever in 2020 with a 40-20 record (second-best in MLB), an American League pennant and a strong World Series showing despite losing in six games.

Snell was disappointed in the move, as Joel Sherman of the New York Post noted, but also made a point to defend his skipper as well.

"If you are going to write bad stories about the decision, he is usually right," Snell said.

The Rays eventually lost by two runs, with Mookie Betts tacking on an eighth-inning solo homer. The Dodgers bullpen also shut the door on the Rays offense, throwing 7.1 shutout innings while striking out 12.

The Tampa Bay Rays made it to Game 6 of the 2020 World Series in part because they relied on analytics and used their pitching staff in unconventional ways.

On Tuesday night in Arlington, that strategy backfired, and Tampa Bay watched the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate a long-awaited title.

For the Dodgers, it was sweet redemption as they hoisted a Commissioner's Trophy for the first time since 1988. For the Rays, it was a frustrating near-miss that will precipitate an offseason of second-guessing.

Tampa Bay starter Blake Snell cruised through the first five innings, allowing one hit, no walks and no runs with nine strikeouts. With one out in the sixth and the Rays leading 1-0, he surrendered a single to Austin Barnes and was promptly pulled by manager Kevin Cash.

A Mookie Betts double, a wild pitch and a run-scoring ground ball later, Los Angeles had a 2-1 lead.

The Dodgers would add an insurance run on a Betts solo homer in the eighth before locking down the 3-1 win. Credit L.A. for capping a great, if truncated, campaign with a ring. But feel free to question Cash, the Rays and their computers-over-guts philosophy. 

   

Notable Players of the Game:

For Los Angeles:

• RF Mookie Betts: 2-for-4, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 2B, 1 HR. Betts capped a stellar inaugural season on the Dodgers with an outstanding Game 6 as he doubled the tying run to third base and scored the go-ahead run in the sixth before adding a solo homer in the eighth.
• C Austin Barnes: 1-for-3, 1 R. Barnes' single in the sixth chased Snell. The Dodgers catcher ended up scoring on a wild pitch, but it was his knock and the Rays' subsequent decision that turned the tide.
• LHP Julio Urias: 2.1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 4 K. Seven Dodgers pitchers combined for a five-hit, one-run effort with 16 strikeouts. Urias, the 24-year-old southpaw, sealed it with 2.1 dominant shutout innings.

For Tampa Bay:

• LF Randy Arozarena: 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 HR. Arozarena punctuated his incredible October run by adding a 10th home run to his postseason-record total. The Cuban rookie finished the playoffs with a .377 average and 1.273 OPS.
• SS Willy Adames: 0-for-4, 3 SO. A key offensive cog all season for Tampa Bay, Adames went hitless in Game 6 and finished the postseason 8-for-59 with 25 strikeouts. 
• LHP Blake Snell: 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 9 K. Snell was rolling through 5.1 frames and appeared to have plenty left in the tank after throwing just 73 pitches. What might have happened if he'd been left in? We'll never know.

   

Analytics Over Instinct: The Regrettable Decision to Pull Snell

First, let's not take anything away from the Dodgers. They are a deep and talented team, finished with the best record in baseball during the regular season and earned this title, shortened schedule aside.

But if Cash had stayed in the dugout and let Snell keep pitching, Game 6—and the series—might have gone differently. 

A couple of base hits notwithstanding, Snell kept L.A. hitters off balance all night with an arsenal of well-placed fastballs and knee-buckling breaking pitches. He looked every bit the guy who won the AL Cy Young Award in 2018 and finished the 2020 postseason with 37 strikeouts in 29.2 innings. 

Yet after Barnes singled, Cash gave him the unceremonious hook. It felt like a predetermined decision.

Snell was about to go through the Dodgers lineup for a third time. Right-hander Nick Anderson was ready in the bullpen. Cash jogged onto the field and made the call, looking less like a skipper wrestling with a tough choice and more like a guy pulling a lever he was required to pull.

That's speculation, obviously. But it fits the pattern the Rays followed all season and throughout the playoffs. Admittedly, it won them an AL East crown and got them within two victories of the first championship in franchise history.

In Game 6, however, something else was needed. This was a moment for Cash and the Rays' front-office brain trust to toss out the playbook, ignore the computer models and see what everyone else did: an ace on top of his game.

In two at-bats against Snell, Betts had struck out twice and appeared uncharacteristically overmatched in the process.

Did Rays WATCH previous Snell-Betts AB? Snell started & finished fanning Betts (in mild slump in WS), w 97-98 up-&-away on which he swung TWO FEET LATE. Completely over-powered. No match-up w Betts is good. But this is the 1 u WANT, not 1 u duck to hook a brilliant Snell. Karma.

— Thomas Boswell (@ThomasBoswellWP) October 28, 2020

Against Anderson, Betts laced a double that started the game-changing rally. Anderson was dominant during the regular season but had wobbled recently.

Nick Anderson has allowed at least 1 run in 7 straight postseason games, the longest streak by a reliever in MLB history.

— Katie Sharp (@ktsharp) October 28, 2020

Hindsight is 20/20. But even in the moment, this felt like a mistake. Snell certainly made his displeasure apparent as he headed off the hill.

Blake Snell's reaction to getting pulled with 1 on and 1 out in the 6th. pic.twitter.com/AZyB94eoKE

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 28, 2020

"I did everything I could to stay in that game," he told reporters. "... I know it's third time through ... but I believe in me."

None of this is to say analytics don't have their place or that the Rays' envelope-pushing pitching strategies should be scrapped altogether. They pioneered the opener in 2018. They used their bullpen to great effect for most of 2020. 

The club with MLB's No. 28 payroll took on the game's second-biggest spender and nearly prevailed. Tampa Bay should be proud of what it accomplished and the intelligent, forward-thinking moves that got it to this point.

But no philosophy is perfect, and baseball will always be about instinct as well as numbers. Maybe pulling Snell was Cash's call. Perhaps it was mandated from above. Either way, it blew up in their faces.

"Personally, I felt Blake had done his job and then some," Cash told reporters. "Mookie coming around for the third time through, I value that. I totally respect and understand the questions that come with it. Blake gave us every opportunity to win. He was outstanding. They're not easy decisions."

That's true. But when you make the wrong decision, the questions inevitably come.

And when you make the wrong decision and lose the World Series, the questions linger for a long, long time.

   

All statistics courtesy of MLB.com.

The biggest moment of Tuesday's Game 6 of the World Series was when Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash walked up the dugout steps to remove starting pitcher Blake Snell in the sixth inning, even though he had yet to allow a run and threw just 73 pitches.

The rest was history, as the Los Angeles Dodgers pushed two runs across with reliever Nick Anderson on the mound thanks largely to a Mookie Betts double. 

"I didn't want Mookie seeing Blake a third time," Cash said when explaining his decision, per Gabe Lacques of USA Today.

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times noted Cash said he regrets making that call because of the results but not the process.

After the loss, Snell said he "wanted to be the one who won or lost that game," but he pointed out Cash is "usually right" when he makes those decisions, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

While the southpaw, who did not pitch past the sixth inning in any of his starts this year, was far more understanding in those comments, he was not happy about being taken out in the moment:

When you get pulled and your team gives up a run

(via @MLBONFOX)pic.twitter.com/cFBg81fMko

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 28, 2020

It's not as if Snell is a mediocre player who was pitching over his head either. He won the 2018 American League Cy Young award and ERA title and is an anchor for Tampa Bay's rotation. He was dialed in from the start of Tuesday's contest and allowed just two hits while striking out nine.

"I don't care what the numbers say," center fielder Kevin Kiermaier said, per Josh Tolentino of The Athletic. "That was Blake's game. That might've been the best I've seen him. That was incredible ... It was Blake's game to lose. I had a great seat in center field."

The decision to go with Anderson also sticks out, as he set a record no pitcher wants by allowing another run in the loss:

Nick Anderson has allowed a run in 7 straight relief appearances, the longest streak in MLB postseason history. pic.twitter.com/3CW3YlJTGV

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 28, 2020

It was a disastrous showing from Anderson, who immediately gave up a double to Betts to put runners on second and third, threw a wild pitch to bring in the tying run and then gave up a fielder's choice on a grounder by Corey Seager to relinquish the lead for good.

Cash's decision will go down in Major League Baseball's history books as one of its most infamous, and fans will surely debate the merits of it for years to come.       

Unfortunately for the Rays, it did not work out as the manager planned.