Rays Your Voice: A Tampa Bay Rays Podcast

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss how the Rays have begun to right the ship in their 2024 season, getting back to .500 and winning three consecutive series (at the time of recording). The last time you heard from us, we said this team wasn't good enough. While we still think there are some holes in the roster, the Rays are starting to prove us wrong. They may be just good enough to give us hope and stay in the Wild Card race through the summer. Now that we are heading into July and the standings have changed a bit, we finish the show discussing who the potential trade pieces are as we inch closer to the deadline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss the malaise that hangs over the 2024 season as the Rays sit in last place in the AL East, despite high expectations at the beginning of the season. They debate where it all went wrong, and if there's still any hope or reason to be excited for the rest of the season (spoiler alert: there is!). While many players on the team are putting together career-worst seasons, one player that has stood out recently is Jose Siri, who seems to be regaining the form that saw him be a major contributor in 2023. Brett and Darby break down how Siri is finding that power swing again, and what makes him such an important part of the roster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ashley MacLennan and Darby Robinson review Draft Day, starring baseball movie darling Kevin Costner. While we intended to record and release near the NFL Draft life got in the way, but our next episode is finally hear. This flick takes us into an NFL front office on draft day, and this movie isn't all that bad. Costner and Chadwick Boseman shine as they are used to doing and carry most of this movie. However, some silly logic throughout doesn't land this movie towards the top of our list. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson break down the Rays sweep of the Marlins as the team finally starts getting healthy. They discuss why having Taylor Walls back deepens the roster in all facets of the game, and how they can use him and Jose Caballero to keep some of their star players fresh through the summer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson take a 30,000-foot view of the 2024 Tampa Bay Rays, now that it's too late to say that it's still early. Stars like Randy Arozarena have struggled, and injuries to key contributors like Josh Lowe and Brandon Lowe have made it even more difficult for the team. Will the Rays look to "blow it up," or stay the course as they try and make a run for their sixth straight postseason appearance? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ashley MacLennan and Darby Robinson review the 2010 romantic comedy 'How Do You Know,' a movie that forced Jack Nicholson into retirement, and one that barely contains any baseball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson go live right after Sunday's series finale in Toronto to discuss how the Rays have begun to right the ship in the last seven games against the Red Sox and Blue Jays, and how they can bring that momentum to Tropicana Field. With Brandon Lowe nearing his return, how will the Rays shuffle the roster? Will they keep Harold Ramirez and send down Jonathan Aranda, or will there be an out-of-nowhere trade this week? Brett and Darby also discuss the acquisition of LHP Richard Lovelady and what his role will be in the bullpen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss Baseball Savant's new bat speed leaderboard and what it means for stats lovers. They take a look at how the Rays fare in terms of bat speed and squared-up swings, and look at some surprising numbers. While Jonathan Aranda seems close to rejoining the Rays, Brandon Lowe is taking another visit to a specialist in Nashville. He's still feeling "something" in his oblique, whatever that means. Brett and Darby debate who is on the chopping block should both Aranda and BLowe return soon, with Harold Ramirez's job seeming the most in danger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson react to an incredible weekend of Rays Baseball that saw the team debut their new City Connect uniforms and pick up their first series sweep of the season against the New York Mets. Brett and Darby talk about the energy that Jonny DeLuca has added to the Rays lineup, and discuss why Josh Lowe will only further strengthen the team. Later in the show, the guys are joined by DRaysBay Managing Editor Danny Russell who shows off his brand new Rays City Connect jersey, and breaks down his thoughts on the new threads, and goes on to 'Rays' his voice about a potential future rebrand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss the newly released Rays City Connect uniforms, which lean heavily into the skateboarding culture in the Tampa Bay area, as well as the team's old identity, the Devil Rays. We discuss what we love and what we might change about the uniform set and overall branding, but we are definitely happy campers. We also discuss if this might be the first sign of a rebrand for the Tampa Bay Rays, as they continue to bring back the shades of green and purple that they wore in those early years where the baseball wasn't as good. Could a new 'SkyRay' logo be a fresh new start for the team when they open their new stadium in a few years? Eventually, we have to talk about baseball, although it's been quite terrible recently. But we don't waste our time sulking, we debate ways the team could improve immediately as players return from injury or get promoted from AAA Durham, including top prospect Junior Caminero. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss the Rays series win in Denver over the Rockies, and introduce the Worry Index, going through each aspect of the team and breaking down how worried they are about the current group. As the Rays continue their road trip, Brett and Darby discuss what they are looking for to continue reducing those worry levels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss the Opening Weekend series against Toronto, and break down the good, bad, and ugly from the split. Next up is the Texas Rangers, who quickly eliminated the Rays in the AL Wild Card round last year en route to their first ever World Series title. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson break down the flurry of moves made by the Rays ahead of Opening Day, and preview the upcoming series against the Toronto Blue Jays. Now that the roster is set, Brett and Darby discuss how Kevin Cash might line his team up for the first few games of the season, and who the first call ups may be from AAA Durham. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss injuries to Josh Lowe and Taj Bradley, and how they shake up the Rays' plans entering the regular season. While the Rays do have depth to help them absorb these injuries more easily, how much will their depth be tested throughout the season? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson react to the news that Jonny DeLuca will open the season on the injured list after breaking his hand during a Spring Training game in the Dominican Republic. They discuss how it impacts the roster outlook, and make a full prediction on who will break camp with the team as things stand. Brett and Darby also look around the league at recent injury news, with Lucas Giolito likely to miss the 2024 season and Gerrit Cole undergoing an MRI. How might those injuries affect the AL East race this season, and which teams have enough depth to absorb the innings lost by their front-line starters? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson are joined by the Action Network's Jim Turvey to discuss why Vegas and other projection models aren't very optimistic about the team's outlook as we head into Spring Training. Brett and Darby also react to the signing of infielder Amed Rosario and discuss how he changes what the Opening Day roster will look like. To end the show, Brett, Darby, and Jim pick a few Rays futures bets that they believe provide some value (or at least a fun lotto ticket to have). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ashley MacLennan and Darby Robinson review The Benchwarmers (2006), directed by Dennis Dugan. This Happy Madison Productions film starring Rob Schneider, David Spade, and Jon Heder comes in as one of the worst we've watched on Who's on Worst. The comedy doesn't land, the jokes are offensive, and the film lacks a basic premise. Here what Ashley and Darby's thoughts are on the movie, and who they would pick to add to the Rays. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett and Darby react to the news that Rays manager Kevin Cash and President of Baseball Operations Erik Neander have signed contract extensions that keep them with the club through at least 2028. The Rays also made a big league free agent signing, inking RHP Phil Maton to a one-year deal with an option for a second. Brett and Darby discuss where Maton fits into the bullpen. Spring Training is less than a week away, which means we have a long list of non-roster invitees that will be making their way to Port Charlotte with the hopes of impressing the Rays enough to either break camp with the team or carve out a role in the farm system. To end the show, Brett and Darby Rays their voice about the Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, who has been criticized recently for his writing on signing young players to lengthy contract extensions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss the latest Rays news including an update on Wander Franco, the signing of Japanese LHP Naoyuki Uwasawa, and the trades of fan favorites Luke Raley and Andrew Kittredge. Brett and Darby also answer some fan questions and address rumors that the Rays might be signing Yasiel Puig to a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson provide updates on the Wander Franco investigation before discussing recent moves made within the AL East, including Lucas Giolito to the Red Sox and Kevin Kiermaier back to the Blue Jays. To end the show, Brett and Darby share their Rays New Year's Resolutions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss the trade that sent Rays ace Tyler Glasnow to the Los Angeles Dodgers, along with outfielder Manuel Margot. Brett and Darby evaluate the return, which includes a former top-100 prospect RHP Ryan Pepiot who figures to be in the Rays rotation to start the year, and athletic outfielder Jonny Deluca who will use his speed and plate discipline to try and fight for a spot on the Rays Opening Day roster. Now that the move we've all been waiting for has gone down, what's next for the Rays? Brett and Darby talk about how the Rays might try and sure up the last few holes on their roster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson react to the news that Shohei Ohtani has signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers on a 10-year, $700 million contract. What's even more interesting is that $680 million of that contract will be deferred and paid after the 10 years are up. Brett and Darby continue to discuss the rumors surrounding Tyler Glasnow and the Dodgers and suggest some pieces the Rays might go after in a trade. To end the show, Brett and Darby assemble the Ultimate Rays Opening Day lineup, putting together the best team using only Rays Opening Day starters from any period in franchise history. Let us know who you would put in your lineup! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson react to the blockbuster trade that sent Juan Soto to the New York Yankees and discuss the impact it will have on the AL East race this year. The Rays made a free agent signing this week, inking RHP Chris Devenski to a one year deal with a club option for a second. Devenski was a member of the Rays bullpen in the back half of 2023 and was even named to the postseason roster, so the Rays clearly have faith in him. The Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes is still ongoing and that seems to be holding up the rest of the market. Where might he land and how quickly will the dominoes fall after he makes his decision? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss the latest trade rumors, including names like Tyler Glasnow, Randy Arozarena, and Isaac Paredes who have all been mentioned recently. Who is most likely to go and which moves do we expect to see completed before the end of next week's Winter Meetings. X (Twitter): twitter.com/RYVPodcast Patreon: patreon.com/raysyourvoice YouTube: youtube.com/@RaysYourVoice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson react to the moves made around the league at the non-tender deadline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ashley MacLennan and Darby Robinson review Ron Shelton's Cobb (1994) starring Tommy Lee Jones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett and Darby break down the Fall Classic and offer their thoughts on how the postseason played out. The offseason got started as soon as the final out was recorded in Arizona, and the Rays have placed six players on outright waivers, on top of losing three players to free agency. To trade or not to trade Tyler Glasnow? While we'd all love to see Glas pitch for the Rays for years to come, it might make financial sense and baseball sense to move on from the injury-prone hurler this offseason. Towards the end of the show, news broke that the Miami Marlins were hiring Peter Bendix to run their baseball operations department, a move that is well-deserved after Bendix's tenure with the Rays, serving as the GM under President of Baseball Ops Erik Neander. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Cole Mitchem close the book on the Rays 2023 season by breaking down what went wrong in the Wild Card series against the Rangers, while highlighting everything that went right during a rollercoaster 99-win season. Then Brett and Cole take a look at the state of the 40-man roster, addressing what moves might come first once the postseason is complete. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford reacts to the Rays 4-0 loss at home against the Texas Rangers in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series. Sleepy offense and sloppy defense allowed the Rangers to take a series lead with a chance to clinch tomorrow at the Trop. Will there be more than 20,000 fans in the stadium with the season on the line? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Darby Robinson discusses the end of the regular season, and what's ahead for the Rays as they begin the AL Wild Card Round against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday afternoon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson react to the announcement of the deal for a new stadium in St. Petersburg and discuss what it means for the franchise and the future of the Tropicana Field site. Later in the show, they discuss what's left to play for in the regular season after a semi-disappointing series split in Baltimore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss an interesting series against the Yankees that saw the benches clear twice in one inning in Sunday's finale. However, cooler heads prevailed, and the Rays took two of three from the cellar dwellers of the AL East. Brett and Darby also discuss some news around the league, including Baltimore losing All-Star closer Felix Bautista with an elbow injury, and the Angels losing two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani. To wrap up the show, Brett and Darby discuss Carl Crawford's induction into the Rays Hall of Fame, and predict who may be included in the Class of 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss the recent Rays injury news, including Shane McClanahan undergoing Tommy John Surgery, Andrew Kittredge returning to the bullpen, and the release of Ryan Thompson. In the second half of the show, Brett and Darby list their 10 shortstops (sans Franco and Walls) that are in the line of succession for the remainder of the season. Their picks give some insight into who might help fill a gap for this season, and who could have a major impact on the team in 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Danny Russell discuss the serious allegations made against Wander Franco, and how his absence will affect the team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss a successful road trip for the Rays, who are still trailing the Orioles by three games in the race for the AL East title. Curtis Mead made his big league debut over the weekend, but Brett and Darby discuss what his role will be on the team for the remainder of the season. In more worrying news, Shane McClanahan was placed on the 15-day IL with forearm tightness. At first, Kevin Cash told Rays fans that he wasn't worried, but now we have no choice but to be worried after Marc Topkin reported that McClanahan would be flying to California to get a second opinion on his injury. To close the show, Brett and Darby wax poetic about the defensive prowess of Wander Franco. While Franco was nearly a flawless prospect, many believed he wouldn't be able to stick at shortstop. This season, Franco has become one of the game's best shortstops, and he may be on his way to a Gold Glove. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now that the dust has settled from Tuesday's Trade Deadline, Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss all of the moves the Rays made, including a surprising splash for starting pitcher Aaron Civale. They also discuss the other moves made around the American League East, and how they will shape this pennant race moving forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss how the month of July has gone so horribly wrong for the Rays, and what it will take to get them back on track and in the race for the AL East title. With the trade deadline just days away, how will the Rays approach it? Are they in the market for any big fish, or will we see some vintage-Rays trades that help them improve on the margins and prepare for next season? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson break down the Rays first half, including an historic start and a mediocre last month or so heading into the All-Star Break. With the All-Star festivities taking place in Darby's home state of Washington, he heads to the Futures Game, Home Run Derby, and Midsummer Classic. Brett and Darby debate whether or not Randy Arozarena has a chance to win this year's Derby. Finally, Brett and Darby 'Rays' their voices and dish out three predictions for the second half. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss Kevin Cash's decision to bench star shortstop Wander Franco for being a bad teammate, and the effect that could have on the clubhouse and Franco's career. Brett talk about his first experience at the Trop this year, and the expert-marketing idea that is Randy Land. To wrap up the show, Brett and Darby take a look at the starting pitching trade market. Will the Rays add anyone of note before the trade deadline? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss the return of Tyler Glasnow and the state of the pitching staff with Pete Fairbanks and Josh Fleming recently added to the injured list. As we enter the summer months and have already seen the Rays make one trade to bolster the pen, how many more will they make and what caliber of reliever will they go after? Brett and Darby talk about a recent newspaper article that attempts to portray Wander Franco as a headache in the Rays' clubhouse, but is the 22-year-old phenom really ruffling that many feathers this season? As he seems to be one of the frontrunners in the AL MVP race, they 'Rays' their voices about Wander's impact on the team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss the imminent return of Tyler Glasnow to the active roster, and where the Rays rotation stands once he is added. The bullpen looks less solidified, but what are the Rays options when it comes to trying to add? It's too early for a big trade, and is going after one of the big-name relievers worth it assuming you'd have to give up a top prospect? Brett and Darby discuss some potential relievers that may be on the market this summer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Garrett Cleavinger likely headed to the IL, joining closer Pete Fairbanks, this upcoming stretch of games will be the toughest on the Rays' bullpen. Brett and Jamal discuss how Kevin Cash and Kyle Snyder will manage their relievers, and debate who can come up from AAA to help fill the gaps. To close the show, Brett and Jamal look ahead to this year's All-Star Game in Seattle, guessing which Rays are most likely to represent the American League in the Midsummer Classic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss the decision to send Taj Bradley back down to AAA, where the plan is to stretch him out to pitch on four days rest when he had been pitching on five to open the season. While there are claims that the Rays are manipulating his service time, Brett and Darby argue that this is best for Taj's short- and long-term future. The Rays took three of four this weekend from the White Sox, and this episode was recorded before Sunday's rollercoaster game that saw the Rays bullpen hand the game to Chicago. Brett and Darby discuss what has gone wrong for the White Sox in recent years. To end the show, they 'Rays' their voices about the decision to open the upper deck for the upcoming home series against the Yankees, and discuss why $40 for a ticket to a premium game isn't something to cry over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss the emergence of Taj Bradley and what his role will be this season with Jeffrey Springs undergoing Tommy John. They take a look at the makeup of the bullpen and debate whether or not the Rays will need to make some moves this summer to get it ready for the postseason. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson talk about the end of the Rays' historic winning streak, and how their depth will be tested after a major injury to one of their most dominant starting pitchers. In the first true 'Rays Your Voice' segment of the 2023 season, Brett and Darby ponder what it would take to even entertain a trade for Shohei Ohtani this summer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson talk about the Rays' historic 9-0 start to the season, led in large part by star shortstop Wander Franco, who is absolutely living up to the hype. They discuss injuries to Jose Siri and Taylor Walls, and how the Rays will fill their spots on the roster. The only negative through nine games was the lone start from Josh Fleming. Brett and Darby debate if there are better options in Durham, and if any of them are worth calling up to fill the #5 spot in the rotation before Tyler Glasnow returns from an oblique injury. Finally, they look ahead to the first AL East series of the season, a four-game set at home against the Red Sox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Darby Robinson discuss the Rays' opening weekend sweep over the Detroit Tigers, Randy Arozarena's global superstardom, and take a closer look at the construction of the 26-man roster. To end the show, Brett and Darby take some time to honor the life and career of Rays radio broadcaster Dave Wills, who tragically passed away last month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ashley MacLennan and Darby Robinson review 'Million Dollar Arm' directed by Craig Gillespie and starring Jon Hamm. They also discuss the future of Who's on Worst and the DRaysBay Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Rutherford and Danny Russell react to the news that St. Pete mayor Ken Welch has selected the Rays/Hines redevelopment plan for the Historic Gas Plant District, and what this next chapter in the stadium saga represents. Brett and Danny also catch up on recent Rays news, including the contract extensions given out to three core players. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ashley MacLennan and Darby Robinson review 'The Perfect Catch,' a Hallmark film that we're not quite sure is a baseball movie. While it wasn't as much of a trainwreck as 'The Scout' or 'Ed' the hosts struggle to pick out any memorable moments from this 2017 TV flick. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices