Yep, it's time to start a
third Rays dynasty. This one is going back to Opening Day 2022 and I'm starting with same 40-man roster and Opening Day roster subject to any deals I might make. Right now I don't plan to recap each game like I do in the 2020 and 2021 dynasties but instead update by week and make special mention of any outstanding performances and moves I make. I may even do more simming than actual game-playing, at least in the early going of the season to catch up with things.
Here are the preseason predictions, which aren't too bullish on us outside of Drew Rasmussen:
I am making one big trade which will be unpopular with the fans but inevitable to clear $11.5M:
Welcome to Tampa Bay, Lars Nootbaar! St Louis was the only team offering prospects for him, so I took them up on it. Nootbaar will go on the active roster and be a backup, although he make take at-bats from Brett Phillips against lefties.
Opening Day was dreadful:
Lot of hits, a lot of LOB on the offense while Shane McClanahan was all over the place.
About a week later we did this with some of the $11.5M we cleared off the books by trading Kiermaier:
Conforto gets his 1-year, prove-it deal, and we get a legit power hitter for the lineup. We sent Lars Nootbaar to Durham to make room and moved Yonny Chirinos to the 60-day IL.
How we're doing through the first full week ending April 17:
Team record: 5-5.
Looked like a totally lost weekend in Chicago until Brandon Lowe came off the bench with 2 out in the 9th to hit a pinch-hit grand slam off Liam Hendriks to give the Rays a thrilling win.
MLB Standings/Leaders in the early going:
Rays stats:
