A team known for innovation, Tampa Bay finally has some stability — and the best offense and pitching in baseball. Or, as Harold Ramírez said, “everything we do is right.”
The Rays improved to 12-0 on Wednesday and are one win short of the modern record to start a season. But can they also catch the 1884 St. Louis Maroons?
Carlos Correa, Trea Turner and Xander Bogaerts were each signed to deals of 11 or more years this off-season. History suggests they could be on the move relatively soon.
The A.L. West has high-priced superstars. The A.L. Central has intriguing story lines. But the mighty A.L. East has four teams capable of winning 100 games.
When he arrived in Tampa as a 20-year-old phenom, Franco already had an M.L.B. logo tattooed on his neck. That he would stick around was a foregone conclusion.