Under the Orange Roof

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.

The Rays president of baseball operations and the team's manager speak to the media to kick off Spring Training in Port Charlotte.

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 District and the new stadium project.

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.

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 beginning in the 2028 season, plus take a look at the construction of the current roster, and some names that the team could be looking at, including a former Ray that Steve thinks could be a win-win scenario for everyone involved.

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.

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.

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 regarding the availability of television coverage of the team.

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 East could be looking at for the deadline, including which team could be a surprise seller (33:00), and finally which players he would prefer seeing the Rays front office pursue (40:34).

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 has run into as we get ready to roll into the All-Star break (3:06).  That all leads to our first discussion of the year regarding the August 2 trade deadline, and the sort of players that could be available for teams looking to buy (15:30).  And we wrap up with the possibility of Tampa Bay maybe making moves that put them in a selling situations, including the possibility of moving one of the players that could bring them a large return (20:15)

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.

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.

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 ball and strike system (aka robo-umps) have worked in the Florida State League of the last couple of weeks.

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 Vogt, who is back with the A's.

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 moment they got to be a part of.

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.

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 their new infielder Isaac Paredes.

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.

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 winners' work ethics as we got back in the clubhouse for the first time in over two years!

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 newest members of the club, just acquired this week.  Finally, rumors continue to swirl about the future of a few Rays outfielders, so we discuss the possibility of losing Kevin kiermaier, Austin Meadows or Manuel Margot, and if Tyler Glasnow's hope of pitching this year hasbeen extinguished before the season even starts.

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.

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 catcher Jean Ramirez, who took his own life this week.

There are still no signs of discussions between Major League Baseball and the Players Association, so what are teams doing while the sport is in limbo.  St. Pete Nine's Steve Carney discusses some of the aspects teams are looking at improving while everyone is in a holding pattern.

Baseball Held Hostage is a special series of Under The Orange Roof, with new episodes daily until the end of the lockout.

We're finishing up the second week of the lockout today, and St. Pete Nine's Steve Carney debunks the idea of a salary floor in baseball, and explains why there won't be one as things are drawn up right now in the sport.  He also gives a different idea a much better chance of happening in these negotiations.

Baseball Held Hostage is a special series of Under The Orange Roof, with new episodes daily until the end of the lockout.

After being shelved for the weekend thanks to his COVID booster shot, St. Pete Nine's Steve Carney is back to discuss the weekend's occurrences involving the lockout.  He gets into Stephanie Apstein's article in Sports Illustrated and why it's smart that she points out that the players are letting the owners dictate the public conversation when they don't have to let them.  He also remarks on a pair of former big leaguers that have deals, and other moves that are allowed to be made while the lockout is going on.

Baseball Held Hostage is a special series of Under The Orange Roof, with new episodes daily until the end of the lockout.

With no talks scheduled between Major League Baseball and the Players Association on the horizon, St. Pete Nine's Steve Carney continues to look at other aspects affected by the lockout.  Today he talks about the help the team is giing local charities this holiday season, and how much of a boost the community is missing by not having the players able to join in.

Baseball Held Hostage is a special series of Under The Orange Roof, with new episodes daily until the end of the lockout.

After getting a note from one of his younger listeners asking about what the owners and players are really fighting over, St. Pete Nine publisher Steve Carney decides to go really big picture and show what is the biggest sticking point of the lockout.

Baseball Held Hostage is a special series of Under The Orange Roof, with new episodes daily until the end of the lockout.

With no scheduled meetings between Major League Baseball and the Players Association on the horizon, St. Pete Nine's Steve Carney takes a look at the last owner lockout in the sport, which took place back in 1990, and looks at what we can expect from both sides and how long this can go on.

Baseball Held Hostage is a special series of Under The Orange Roof, with new episodes daily until the end of the lockout.

With no negotiations scheduled for this weekend between Major League Baseball and the Players Association, St. Pete Nine's Steve Carney dies into other aspects that could come about because of the lockout.  Today we look at some of the free agents that decided not to sign before the lockout began and how some could find themseles making a lot more by waiting than if they decided to sign deals before eerything came to a halt.

Baseball Held Hostage is a special series of Under The Orange Roof, with new episodes daily until the end of the lockout.

With no discussions between Major League Baseball and the Players Association scheduled for this weekend, St. Pete Nine Founder Steve Carney dies into some other aspects that could come about because of the lockout.  Today, we get into some of the changes on the field you might see in 2022 that would be directly related to a new collective bbargaining agreement.

Baseball Held Hostage is a special series of Under The Orange Roof, with new episodes daily until the end of the lockout.

There were no negotiations betwween the two sides on Thursday, but we did hear from MLB commissioner Rob Manfred on behalf of the owners about some of the proposals that hae been made to the Players Association.  Meanwhile, the league has taken down players images from the teams' websites and players are haing a laugh at it, but the Players Association got messages of solidarity from some big names in the labor game.

Baseball Held Hostage is a special series of Under The Orange Roof, with new episodes daily until the end of the lockout.

For the first time in a quarter-century, there is a work stoppage between Major League Baseball and the Players Association.  Saint Pete Nine publisher Steve Carney gives you the timeline of what happened between the two sides on the final day before the lockout, and explains what's to come Thursday for the owners and players.

Baseball Held Hostage is a special series of Under The Orange Roof, with new episodes daily until the end of the lockout.

Friday night, Steve Carney saw the first ad on television that attacked both Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg and his "Sister City" plan that he touts as the only way to save regular-season Major League Baseball in the region.  Steve found it interesting that it came from a political action committee, and goes on to tell you who created it, who funded it, and asks why they made the decision to go with it now.

The Tampa Bay Rays get eliminated from the postseason Monday night by the Boston Red Sox.  Steve Carney tells you why he feels that the one thing you take away from 2021 is failure.  Plus he explains why Rays fans will be dealing with that failure this offseason for likely a lot longer than previous years.

Tampa Bay finds itself in a back-to-the-wall situation after dropping both Game 2 and Game 3 of the American League Division Series to te Boston Red Sox.  Steve Carney breaks down what went wrong in Games 2 and 3, then talks about a former Rays player that has taken up the mantle as the face of the fanbase in the whole stadium situation.

Tampa Bay gets out to a one game to none lead in te best of five American League Division Series.  Steve Carney discusses how the young and inexperienced pitching staff handled Boston's lineup, and manager Kevin Cash talks about Randy Arozarena's major league postseason first.

Tampa Bay will head into the postseason with a mark of 100-62, tops in the American League.  But Steve Carney starts the show by talking about a specific mark that the Rays hit this year that nobody noticed, and it helped them ensure that their best players remained on the field as much as possible (1:35).  He then gets into Tuesday's Wild Card matchup, and while it did not descend into chaos as hoped, it still bodes well for Tampa Bay in a five-game series against either New York or Boston (8:00).  We also discuss the crazy catch that Gio Urshela made on Sunday, and hear Kevin Cash's response to the YES Network broadcasters saying the Rays should have done something to prevent him from crashing headlong into the dugout at full speed. (15:23).  And we wrap up the show with Steve's ballots for the four Baseball Writers Association awards that he doesn't have a role in picking because he's not in the union, but that also means you get to hear who he'd pick for MVP, Cy Young Award, Rookie of the Year, and Manager of the year before the awards come out! (20:11).

Along with the celebrations that took place this past week (which you can hear in our two bonus episodes), two other events took place for the Tampa Bay Rays that both stirred up controversy.  

Steve Carney gets into his thoughts on "Cardgate," and why he thinks the whole thing not only got blown way out of proportion but also saw anger and rage pointed in the wrong direction (1:45), as well as "Signgate" and the sign that will be going up for the playoff that shows that the ownership group is still looking to split the season between the Tampa Bay region and the city of Montreal (16:45), which Steve thinks is stupid but hopes the message was miscontrued and does not place the blame on the fanbase but rather on other aspects that have caused problems in the region.

Also, Tuesday marks the tenth anniversary of Game 162, which has been dubbed the greatest night of regular season baseball ever, and Steve gives you his memories of being at the Trop on that Wednesday night in 2011 and the craziness that went on all evening with the Rays coming back to snatch the Wild Card away from Boston (39:35).

The Tampa Bay Rays earned their second consecutive American League East championship so that means another champagne celebration and more comments from the team after the festivities.  Hear from manager Kevin Cash, catcher Mike Zunino, pitcher Shane McClanahan, infielders Yandy Diaz, Joey Wendle, and Brandon Lowe and outfielders Kevin Kiermaier and Austin Meadows, plus president of baseball operations Erik Neander talks about putting together this championship squad.

On Wednesday, the Tampa Bay Rays did something they had never done before in franchise history: they made it to the playoffs for a third consecutive year.  Hear comments from manager Kevin Cash, outfielders Kevin Kiermaier, Brett Phillips, and Randy Arozarena (translated by Manny Navarro), as well as infielders Brandon Lowe and Joey Wendle.

Monday is he big day for Rays fans who have been clamoring for the callup of top pitching prospect Shane Baz, as the 22-year-old will make his Major League debut at Tropicana Field against the Toronto Blue Jays.  Hear Baz talk about his callup and how excited he is to reach the top of the mountain.  Plus, Steve Carney gets into the $10 ticket sale promotion the Rays have been running for this homestand, and why it may not be a good thing for fans.

Tampa Bay will go to Toronto for the first time in nearly two years Monday.  Steve Carney gets into the questions the fanbase have been bringing up about the bullpen because of a rough weekend in Detroit, and goes through the matchups we'll see at Rogers Centre.

We've reached the final milestone marker for the regular season -- Labor Day -- and the Rays start their penultimate road trip of the 2021 regular season in Boston.  Steve Carney talks about Tampa Bay getting another shot at Chris Sale and Eduardo Rodriguez after losing to each last week, and the interesting weekend upcoming in Detroit.  Plus, Steve asked a pair of veterans on the team, DH Nelson Cruz and outfielder Kevin Kiermaier, if there's a moment where a team like this truly believes they win it all.  Their answers might surprise you!

The Rays come back from an unbeaten road trip, one which finished with them tying the Major League record for wins against a single opponent, to begin a tough stretch where they face the Boston Red Sox seven times in the next ten games.  We also discuss which prospects who have not been called up this year could get a look in September with the rosters expanding.  One of them might surprise you!

The Rays just finished a fantastic conversation, going 6-1 against Baltimore and the Chicago White Sox.  Steve Carney discusses some of the new hurdles the team will have to face, and with Tampa Bay going to Philadelphia for an interleague series beginning Tuesday, it's a great time to revisit a converstion with actress Ellen Adair from earlier this year.

Most Rays fans feel that the reasons they don't want to go to Tropicana FIeld to see the defending American League Champions in person can be fixed in one step: by building a new stadium in Tampa.  But that doesn't help the team that's on the field right now.  So Steve Carney has come up with some ideas that could help try and get more fans into the stands in St. Petersburg.

Tampa Bay has come off a three-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles, and Steve Carney gets into the late-inning heroics that took place over the weekend.  Brandon Lowe also explains why he believes he and his teammates have performed so well late in game, particularly in the eighth inning.  We then get into the upcoming series in Boston, and Steve believes that with the Red Sox reeling, the Rays need to not give them an opportunity to right the ship.