We completed an injury-free ST, all I could ask for.
The Opening Day roster:
C-Cartaya, Pinto
1B-Mead
2B-Albies
SS-Wander
3B-Luciano
IF-J.Jackson
LF-N.Santana
CF-DeLoach
RF-J.Wood
OF-Mears (platooning with Wood), Head
DH-Torkelson
SP-McClanahan, L.Castillo, Swanda, Orze, Whitlock
LR-German, Sears
MR-Whitley, Gaston, Gau, Dohy
SU-Ruegger, Moran
CL-Fairbanks
The two "surprises" on the active roster are guy who are out of options and I didn't want to waive (although odds are they'd clear): Hudson Head in the OF, which means Lonnie White goes to Durham, and Sandy Gaston on the staff at the expense of Joey Stock. Otherwise, it's largely the same team as last year with Orze taking Drew Rasmussen's rotation spot and Dohy taking Tanner Scott's. Also Garrett Whitlock will get a shot in the rotation and Taj Bradley was optioned to Durham.
We really didn't spend any of the $25M we have available as the free agents who might have improved us were way too expensive and ones who were affordable weren't better than the players we have. Instead I'll be looking to upgrade with rentals who may become more available as the season goes on.
The preseason predictions are typically bearish on us:
Next up: We open the season with an interleague matchup as the Padres come to town and Opening Day will feature a matchup of Rays past and present as Tyler Glasnow will go for San Diego against Shane McClanahan.