With Grapefruit League games starting up, Steve Carney looks back on the workout portion of Spring Training with the signings of Amed Rosario and Yu Chang, then gets into the possibility of further upgrades from outside the organization before Opening Day. Finally, he looks at the fans who for some reason still can't get past Game 6 of the 2020 World Series and tries to give perspective to those stuck reliving a moment three and a half years old. --- Support this podcast:...

The Rays president of baseball operations and the team's manager speak to the media to kick off Spring Training in Port Charlotte. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/utorpodcast/support

With just a couple of weeks remaining before the start of Spring Training, the Rays roster is starting to fill out with more players being invited to big-league camp. Steve Carney gives you his thoughts on some of the new arms and bats that will be in Port Charlotte. He's then joined by Rays Radio broadcaster and good friend Neil Solondz, who gets us caught up on what he's worked on this offseason, the team's departures and additions, and a new podcast detailing the Historic Gas Plant...

As soon as we hit publish on the first episode of 2024, the Tampa Bay Rays decide to make not one, but two trades involving players on the big-league roster. Join St. Pete Nine's Steve Carney and Sports Talk Florida's Steve Kinsella as they break down first the trade of Luke Raley to Seattle for Jose Caballero, then get into the deal of Andrew Kittredge for Richie Palacios in St. Louis. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/utorpodcast/support

Happy New Year from Under The Orange Roof! Steve Carney returns to start 2024 with a first look at the legal proceedings against shortstop Wander Franco that are now getting underway in the Dominican Republic. We take a look at what sort of scenarios could play out, and how that affects the team's massive contract with the 22-year-old. We then get into the sillyness that local politicans have staked their names to regarding the construction of a new baseball stadium for the team to play in...

After being eliminated by the Texas Rangers in the American League Wild Card last week, manager Kevin Cash, general manager Peter Bendix, and president of baseball operations Erik Neander joined the media Monday to speak about their feelings on the 2023 campaign and give an earl;y look at 2024. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/utorpodcast/support

Steve Carney talks about the death of one of his long-time colleagues, friends, and mentors: Rays Radio broadcaster Dave Wills, who died Sunday at age 58.  He shares some stories of their times together on the Rays Radio Network, and how he'll remember and pay tribute to his friend. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/utorpodcast/support

Steve Carney is back with a third season talking all things Tampa Bay Rays. After what was a quiet free agency period during the offseason, Steve discusses why he feels that it's better to pursue the pieces that fit best with the team and not do what some big-market clubs have done and just gone out and spend willy-nilly on some big name bat. He also gets into the decision that is forthcoming on a winning proposal for redevelopment of the Tropicana Field site, and what changes you could see...

We are a week away from baseball's trade deadline, and Steve Carney gets into the three different aspects he feels the Rays front office should be looking to try and improve for the push toward the postseason (1:01).  He then gets into the names that would be tremendous splashes if Tampa Bay was able to acquire them, including what he would be willing to offer the Washington Nationals in order to land this year's whale: outfielder Juan Soto (21:05), what pieces the rest of the American League...

Much like the Rays after 11 days on the road, Steve Carney is back to discuss what happened on the last jaunt through Toronto, Boston and Cincinnati.  He starts with the announcement of Shane McClanahan being named to the American League All-Star team (1:01), and what he believes the likelihood is of him getting to be the starting pitcher for this year's Midsummer Classic.  He then gets into the last road trip, breaking the time away into three sections, and the significant injuries the club...

The Rays get ready to begin a three-game series in the Bronx, and Steve Carney starts the show by discussing some of the aspects the Rays will have to improve on if they wish to close the gap (0:45).  He also gives his thoughts on former Rays manager Joe Maddon being fired by the Los Angeles Angels (7:00). Steve is then joined by George Ofman, the host of the podcast Tell Me A Story I Don't Know, whose latest episode, dropping on June 14, features a conversation with Rays Radio broadcaster...

The Rays wrapped up a four-game weekend series with the New York Yankees, and Steve Carney goes through why Tampa Bay fans should be pleased with how the series worked out despite only salvaging a split. Steve then gets into the wild story that came out over the weekend involving former Rays outfielder Tommy Pham, and says while it's a crazy scenario, it shows how competitive some of these guys can be in their everyday lives. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/utorpodcast/support

It was a fantastic week for the Rays out west, and Steve Carney gets into all the things the team has improved while playing on Pacific time.  He's also joined by Mike Zunino who talks about the process of developing a relationship and rapport with pitchers on a staff, and how it changes when you're a young catcher to being a more experienced backstop. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/utorpodcast/support

It was a fantastic week on the field for the Tampa Bay rays, and St. Pete Nine's Steve Carney gives you all the highs (with very few lows) after taking a series from the Cubs in Chicago, and returning home to beat the Boston Red Sox two out of three. Steve also has gotten an up-close view at a number of rules changes that are being tested in the minors for possible use in the big leagues sooner than you think.  Hear his takes on how the larger bases, the ban on shifts, and the automatic...

It was a rough week for the Tampa Bay Rays on the field, losing 3 of 4 to the Oakland Athletics at home followed by dropping 2 of 3 in Chicago to the White Sox.  Steve Carney goes through the issues that the team is dealing with, from pitching staff injuries to unexpected defensive and base running miscues. And with the team still in the Windy City, Steve asks outfielder Kevin Kiermaier why Chicago seems to be the best road city in the league and catches up with former Rays catcher Stephen...

Tuesday night brought about one of the most incredible moments we'll likely see this year, so good that you could be excused if you thought it was scripted: 8-year-old Chloe Grimes being interviewed on Bally Sports Sun about her favorite player, Brett Phillips, and Phillips then blasting a huge home run to her joy and delight.  We talk with both Phillips and Bally Sports Sun's Tricia Whitaker, who conducted the interview, and Doug Waechter, a long-time friend of the family, about the amazing...

The Rays finished off a three-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles to start the 2022 regular season, and Steve Carney decided to have a little fun by inviting Alex Murphy and Maxwell O'Toole from Rays The Roof to join him to celebrate. Hear how Rays The Roof got started thanks to a podcast on college marching bands, plus the guys give you what they took away from the first weekend of the season, their short-term expectations, and live reaction to Tommy Romero's call-up. --- Support this...

It was a shock to the Rays fanbase Monday evening when they learned that outfielder Austin Meadows was being traded to the Detroit Tigers.  Steve Carney gives you the three most plausible reasons why a ballclub would want to make a deal that would send their team RBI leader to a different club.  Plus, hear from both manager Kevin Cash and president of baseball operations Erik Neander on how they feel the team will be able to cope with Austin's bat in the lineup and why they are very high on...

The Rays will begin the 2022 regular season later this week.  Steve Carney begins this week's episode by discussing how Tampa Bay has appeared to dodge a big bullet regarding injuries in a shortened spring.  We also discuss which players unlikely to start the season in the big leagues have the best chance to contribute at some point this year, and what reasonable expectations should be regarding the start of the regular season. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/utorpodcast/support

I'm sure you celebrated the Rays first spring win this week, which came after a full week of losing.  Steve Carney explains why numbers -- whether on the scoreboard or on the stat sheet -- don't matter at this point, and discusses what you should be looking for.  We also get into the latest injury to reliever Pete Fairbanks and unfair blame being levied on the club.  You get to meet the newest member of the Rays, outfielder Harold Ramirez and hear from catcher Mike Zunino about Cy Young...

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...

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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/utorpodcast/support

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...