Sports by the Tampa Bay Times

07/29/2024

The tackle says the two sides are “trying to iron out some little things,” but he insists on being with teammates.

07/29/2024

Just when the Rays decided to throw in the towel on 2024, they started winning more consistently and the teams they are chasing have begun to stumble.

John Romano | Jason Adam and Isaac Paredes are the latest to be traded, but Tampa Bay has suddenly clawed its way back into wild-card contention.

07/28/2024

The last thing centerfielder Jose Siri expected when he got off the team plane early Friday morning was to hear the Rays were down a veteran player. By the end of Sunday's game, three others had followed Randy Arozarena out the door.

Notes | With no game Monday, players will have plenty of time to follow the rumors and developments before Tuesday’s deadline. Plus, Ryan Pepiot comes through first mound test.

07/28/2024

The Bucs are making progress on a contract that is expected to make Pro Bowler Tristan Wirfs the highest-paid tackle in the NFL.

The team will make the former Iowa star the NFL’s highest-paid offensive lineman as he anchors a much improved unit.

07/28/2024

Isaac Paredes was traded by the Rays Sunday, less than two weeks after he made his first All-Star Game appearance. Christopher Morel was part of the return from the Cubs.

The corner infielder started his career as a teenager in Chicago’s farm system, then moved to Detroit and Tampa Bay.

07/28/2024

With Sunday’s game starting at an unusually early hour, the Rays offense seemed to be on snooze for the first seven innings. Fortunately, they got some help from the Reds in the eighth and rallied for a series-clinching win.

Tampa Bay comes back from a one-run deficit in the eighth inning on three walks, a hit and a wild pitch.

07/28/2024

Things are about to get real at Bucs training camp, where the team goes into full pads for the first time Monday.

The team will go live after four non-padded workouts to open training camp.

07/28/2024

The Rays traded another key player on Sunday, shipping high-leverage reliever Jason Adam to the Padres for three prospects.

The return includes 3 prospects ranked among the top 12 in San Diego’s well-regarded system, led by pitcher Dylan Lesko,

07/28/2024

Blake Snell's strikeouts were the most for a pitcher this season and the most for any in an outing of six innings or fewer since at least 1901.

The Giants starter’s strikeouts were the most for a pitcher this season and the most for any in an outing of six innings or fewer since at least 1901.

07/27/2024

The veteran on a youthful U.S. men’s swim team, former Florida Gator Caeleb Dressel added another relay victory to his long list, anchoring the winning 4x100-meter freestyle foursome.

He adds another victory to his long list, anchoring the winning 4x100-meter freestyle relay as the Americans beat out the rival Australians and scrutinized Chinese.

07/27/2024

If Saturday was his last start for the Rays, Zack Littell certainly left a good impression.

The right-hander ignores the noise of trade-deadline rumors and stymies Cincinnati. Alex Jackson and Yandy Diaz homer to add offensive support.

07/27/2024

Jeffrey Springs' long road back from 2023 Tommy John surgery is expected to end Tuesday, when he is scheduled to pitch against the Marlins.

Notes | The left-hander completed his rehab and is scheduled to start Tuesday against the Marlins. Plus, Ryan Pepiot’s scare and how to watch Sunday’s game.

07/27/2024

"We don’t want to go five years without a playoff appearance (as they did from 2014-18)," Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander said. "So, these decisions were made to make sure that we don’t fall off and it doesn’t take us five years to find a way back."

Dealing All-Star outfielder Randy Arozarena and opening day starter Zach Eflin, each for three young prospects, could pay off big in the future.

07/27/2024

A generational talent at shortstop is likely available for a nominal cost at the trade deadline. Is any team willing to take on the risk that is Wander Franco?

John Romano | The combination of legal woes and salary obligations make it unlikely anyone would deal for the All-Star as the trade deadline approaches.

07/27/2024

The Seminole High product has been training for several months as a pitcher and has his eye on a big-league bullpen job.

Tales | The Seminole High product has been training for several months as a pitcher and has his eye on a big-league bullpen job.

07/27/2024

The Rays were expected to be active before Tuesday's trade deadline, and Randy Arozarena's name was the subject of much speculation. But no one thought they would deal the popular slugger on his special day.

Fans were “shocked” and “upset” after the trade of the popular outfielder. Before the night was over, he gave them one lasting memory.

07/27/2024

For a former Red Sox fan, Rays first-round draft pick Theo Gillen was pretty excited to be at Tropicana Field Friday to sign his first professional contract.

Notes | The high school outfielder tours the ballpark before signing for over $4.3 million. Plus, Jeffrey Springs is expected to start next week.

07/27/2024

Say goodbye to Randy Arozarena and Zach Eflin. While you're at it, say goodbye to 2024. The Rays are turning their attention to the future after a mediocre first half.

John Romano | It’s a calculated risk, but dealing Randy Arozarena and Zach Eflin closes the book on 2024 and puts the spotlight on 2025 and beyond.

07/27/2024

Stuart Fairchild’s double to left off reliever Manuel Rodriguez in the top of the 10th inning scored Austin Slater with the winning run in the Reds’ victory over the Rays.

Tampa Bay drops its first game after trading outfielder Randy Arozarena and pitcher Zach Eflin.

07/27/2024

Former Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena, traded earlier in the day, spent a few innings in Randy Land Friday night before leaving to meet his new team.

The outfielder, who was traded to Seattle earlier in the day, watches a few innings from the leftfield seating section that had been named in his honor.

07/26/2024

Yandy Diaz would not elaborate on what kept him away from the Rays for the past week, but he did say he was surprised the team placed him on the restricted list, which kept him from being paid during his absence.

The first baseman is activated off the restricted list and comes back to a team that has been changed significantly by trades.

07/26/2024

The Bucs not picking up their fifth-year option could mean bigger bucks for outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. But first he has to take advantage of his opportunities.

The former 1st-round pick did not have his $13.25 million club option picked up for 2025.

07/26/2024

The Rays made a second major trade Friday, shipping opening day starter Zach Eflin to the division-rival Orioles.

Tampa Bay’s opening day starter was a Rays fan growing up, but the structure of his contract made him a likely candidate to be traded.

07/26/2024

Paris kicked off its first Summer Olympics in a century with a rule-breaking opening ceremony studded with stars and fantasy, showcasing the city’s resilience after an arson attack.

Crowds crammed along the river and watching from balconies “oohed” and “aahed” as national teams paraded in boats along the waterway.

07/26/2024

At one point, it seemed former Gators record-setting QB Kyle Trask was being groomed to replace Tom Brady. Today, he's fighting for the Bucs' backup job.

Former Gator Kyle Trask, once considered Tom Brady’s heir, is battling John Wolford.

07/26/2024

For many Rays fans, the only thing worse than seeing the popular leftfielder leave Tampa Bay is that it happened on the day the team had set aside to celebrate him.

For many, the only thing worse than seeing the popular leftfielder leave Tampa Bay is that it happened on the day the team had set aside to celebrate him.

07/26/2024

So Randy Arozarena is on his way to the Mariners. That's what the Rays do. They win, they flip players, they win again. For this trade to be a success, they need to be playing deep into October in 2025.

John Romano | A salary dump on a mediocre 2024 team could be a boon for 2025, when Tampa Bay will be in better shape for a playoff run.

07/26/2024

What time does the opening ceremony start? Will the train sabotage change anything? What if it rains? Here's how you can watch the ceremonial start of the Paris Olympics.

Instead of a traditional march into a stadium, about 6,800 athletes will parade on more than 90 boats on the Seine River.

07/26/2024

French officials condemned the attacks as “criminal actions,” though they said there was no sign of a direct link to the Games.

07/26/2024

With its lease set to expire in 2028, significant upgrades to Raymond James Stadium are needed to secure the Bucs’ long-term future in Tampa Bay, as well as more Super Bowls or College Football Playoff national title games. So, why has the franchise not yet approached local officials about their renovation plans?

At minimum, upgrades to Raymond James Stadium are needed to secure the Buccaneers’ future and land more Super Bowls or college national title games.