A look to the future of the Rays and an interview with 1B coach Ozzie Timmons
Merry Christmas Rays Fans!
As we look ahead on our future after the departure of the best player we have ever seen wear our uniform, Evan Longoria. It appears the Rays are forming a core of young players that we can get excited about.
Leading the pack already are players like Chris Archer, Steven Souza Jr., Jake Odorizzi, Alex Colomé, Corey Dickerson, Matt Duffy, Mallex Smith. Players likely to join our team in 2018 include top prospects in Triple-A Durham Brent Honeywell, Willy Adames, and Jake Bauers. Like many of us know our Durham Bulls won the Triple-A championship against the St. Louis’ Triple-A affiliate team, the Memphis Redbirds. Trading veterans with hefty contracts for young affordable talent is how the Rays have operated for years, and is the only way we can expect to have success at the major league level, given our financial constraints.
The trade made with the San Francisco Giants brings in a player that can take over in third immediately in Christian Arroyo, a former Tampa HS standout. Also included in the trade are veteran OF Denard Span (1 yr at $? million) , and two minor league pitchers with potential to succeed at the major league level. It has been rumored that Colomé and Odorizzi may be next to be traded but no transactions have been made yet. the Rays front office must be still researching what is out there and weighing their options to find what can help make this ball club better in the long run.
It isn’t looking like we have a team to compete with the high profile Red Sox and Yankees next year but we never look good on paper compared to those behemoths and the last decade has treated us mostly well. One thing I told myself and some other individuals that I spoke to once we made that trade was that baseball is a business and our hearts will be broken sometimes but that the reason why we love sports because it draws us in and gives us feelings nothing else can.
In addition to discussing what the state of the Rays is, an interview was made with our new first base coach, Ozzie Timmons.
1.) How was it being part of this Triple-A championship team & what about this team was so special and allowed the whole team to get where they did?
- “It was awesome to win of course but thing that made this group special was that they all got along really well which always helps in the minors.”
2.) How do you keep the culture in the minors to not only win ball games but also be able to develop the players to be better the next day?
- “You just have to keep things fun and mix things up as much as you can. The problem comes with doing the fundamentals which can get boring sometimes but you have to be creative by picking teams and playing against each other.”
3.) Who’s someone or people that have helped you in your coaching career that you’re appreciative of?
- “The guys that helped me the most were; Dave Clark, Skeeter Barnes, Bill Evers, Billy Gardner, and Matt Quatrero just to name a few.”
4.) What is something you think players enjoy most of you?
- “I would say my humor and I come to the field every day with a smile on my face, and my honesty which some guys didn’t really like but they respected it.”
5.) What are you most excited about now that you’re the Rays first base coach?
- “I’m excited about helping this team win anyway I can.”
Getting to know Ozzie
1.) Burgers or hot dogs?
- “Both burgers and hot dogs but if I had to choose it would be a burger.”
2.) Football (Bucs) or Hockey (Lightning)?
- “Die hard Bucs fan and I actually use to sell hot dogs there. My slogan was “Don’t be a meanie buy a weenie.” I started following the lightning once we got them and I really enjoy watching them.”
3.) Favorite musician(s) that you’re enjoying right now?
- “Matisyahu is what I’m into right now, really chill.”
4.) Favorite thing to do in offseason?
- “I like fresh water fishing for Bass.”
5.) Place you’d love to take a vacation in?
- “My next vacation I would like to see some snow. Maybe Vail, Colorado.”
Huge thank you to Ozzie Timmons for taking the time to do this interview. Very excited to have him be part of the Major League staff and help our Rays for years to come.
As always don’t forget to follow @RaysNation_ on twitter
Happy Holidays Rays Fans!
