Spring Training rolls on as the Rays have already completed five games, compiling a record of 3-2. Yesterday afternoon, the Rays defeated the Toronto Blue Jays, behind strong offensive contributions from a couple of top prospects.

Willy Adames launched his first home run of the spring, a two run opposite field blast. Joe McCarthy and Jason Coats would each homer for the Rays, while Jesus Sanchez also had a multi-hit game, including a triple.

The biggest news of the day, however, was that the Rays are nearing a new TV deal that will dramatically increase Tampa Bay’s revenue over the next fifteen years.

Yesterday, JT Morgan provided some important analysis of the Rays payroll and found that, for the revenue the team brings in, their spending is nearly identical to the league average. I asked for his thoughts on what the television deal could mean for the Rays payroll.

Television deals increase over time, so we can’t expect a jump from $35MM to the average $82MM right away, and it may take some time to see a real impact for the Rays. An increase from $35MM to, say, $50MM in 2019 would translate to approximately only $10.5MM in more revenue, as 30% of all TV deals are sent to the MLB central fund. If the Rays continue to spend just over 50% on player payroll it could mean $5-6MM more budgeted to the MLB level, but not much else could be expected.

Read more of JT’s analysis from yesterday here.

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Kevin Cash spoke about the prospects’ performances and Archer’s spring debut following the game.

Here’s how the Rays will lineup this afternoon in Port Charlotte with Nate Eovaldi making his spring debut with the club. Several notables in the starting lineup with Kevin Kiermaier, Matt Duffy, Denard Span, and Wilson Ramos starting. Top prospects, Jake Bauers and Justin Williams, are also in the starting lineup.

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