With all the off-the-field news concerning the Rays, you’d think manager Kevin Cash would focus on hitting, scoring runs with men on base, and keeping his pitching staff healthy. Oh, he is, but right now it’s about getting his team to come together.
“Camaraderie is really important,” Cash said when asked what he is looking for most in the early days of camp. “Yesterday when Yandy (Diaz) and Eloy (Jiminez) were hitting they went afterwards, sat and talked for fifteen minutes in the dugout. Then when I came into the clubhouse, there was a group around their lockers.”
READ: Rays Banking On Shane McClanahan As Opening Day Starter
So much talk about the Rays centers around Tropicana Field. The roof was torn off during Hurricane Milton, and it is forcing the Rays to play the entire 2025 season at the Yankees spring training home and Florida State League ballpark Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. The future of the Rays is in question, but Cash wants the players not to have to think about any of that. Just play baseball. Stick together. Get off to a fast start. A number of Rays position players got into camp early, like centerfielder Jonny DeLuca. DeLuca likes Cash’s approach, and he, for one, has noticed his teammates feel the same way.
“Everyone here has their head on right and puts their work in, in the cages.,” Deluca said. “It’s all about adjustments. It’s a game of adjustments. Go out there and put the ball in play. We’re going to have homers. We’re going to have doubles. Just score runs.”
READ: Rays Embracing Away From The Trop Challenges
Tampa Bay only scored 604 runs in 2024. That was down from 860 runs scored the year before.
Rays outfielder Josh Lowe noticed the change in mindset right away. ln fact on the first full squad workout day.
“That starts today, really,” Lowe said. “I think putting an emphasis on focusing on the things we need to focus on to get back to that point where we were in 2023. Focusing on what makes us a good offense. Just being really disciplined and doing that.”
Deluca liked Tropicana Field but is also looking forward to a new experience calling Steinbrenner Field home this season.
“We all know Trop was pretty unique,” Deluca said. “The roof being covered. But now you have different elements to deal with. The wind, sun, rain, and all the different elements come with playing outdoors. Just adjust as the season goes on.”
Yes, it comes down to producing on the field, and the Rays’ goal is to not only get to the postseason but win it all. Cash again says it starts in spring training, and cohesiveness is big.
“This group has a chance to be pretty connected and that’s kind of what we’re looking for,” Cash said. “To bring the pitching group and the position group together really, really well. I feel like last year at the end of the year, we did some good things that last month where guys came together as a group. Just want to continue to work off that.
The Rays open their Grapefruit Season Friday in Tampa against the Yankees at Steinbrenner Field.
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