Neander, Cash keep focus on 'special group of players'

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Erik Neander and Kevin Cash were in no hurry to talk about themselves when the Rays announced their long-term contract extensions on Thursday. A brief statement from principal owner Stuart Sternberg stood as the organization’s only comment on the news until Tuesday, when pitchers and catchers reported to Charlotte Sports Park for Spring Training.

Even as Neander and Cash sat atop the home dugout for their annual camp-opening press conference, they didn’t want to make the day about themselves. Cash ended his first answer with a request to talk about Tampa Bay’s players instead, and Neander was even more direct after a follow-up question, leaning into the microphone to say, “Players, players, players, players.”

It was in character for Neander and Cash, who are both quick to deflect praise elsewhere while being widely regarded as among the best in the industry at what they do. Terms of their contracts have not been made available, but both were obviously thrilled to commit to the Rays for the long haul.

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“I think the bottom line is this is home for me and my family. We love it here. I love the people I work for, love the people I work with,” Neander said. “We've been able to win here. We've demonstrated that and truly, truly believe that we can win a championship here. … That made it pretty, pretty easy for me, and I appreciate the interest in them making it easy for me.”

Cash, now the longest-tenured manager in the Majors with his current team (entering 10th season), was similarly appreciative of his extension and partnership with Neander.

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“It’s about who we’re getting to work with on a daily basis, whether it’s staff, big league staff, player development and, obviously, our players,” Cash said. “We’ve got a special group of players that are here. We’ve got a special group that are coming. Just a lot to be optimistic about and very thankful for.

“I can't imagine another organization having it better or having somebody better to work with on a daily basis.”

Reliever Pete Fairbanks, who has been with the Rays since their current streak of postseason appearances started in 2019, said the stability of the club’s leadership group also benefits their players.

“You know what you're getting from the top. You know the precedent that they set and the attitude that is going to be prevalent through camp,” Fairbanks said. “It just makes it that much easier to go about and do your jobs.”

Around the horn

• All pitchers and catchers reported to Rays camp as scheduled on Tuesday. Their first workout is set for Wednesday, beginning around 10 a.m. ET.

• Cash said René Pinto, the lone catcher on the 40-man roster, is “going to get a lot of the big league reps” behind the plate. Cash praised the backstop’s defensive work, noted the power he displayed at the plate last season and said the Rays “want to give him the opportunity to find that confidence and that rhythm to get back there as much as possible.”

• Non-roster invitees Alex Jackson and Rob Brantly are the top candidates to back up Pinto on Opening Day, although Neander said the front office will “keep an open mind” if another catcher becomes available during Spring Training.

• If everything goes according to plan, the Rays’ Opening Day rotation should include Zach Eflin, Aaron Civale, Zack Littell, Taj Bradley and Ryan Pepiot, with Shane Baz behind them as he’s built up slower coming off of a season lost to Tommy John surgery. Neander mentioned lefty Jacob Lopez and three non-roster invitees -- Naoyuki Uwasawa, Jacob Waguespack and former top prospect Brendan McKay -- as potential depth options.

• Cash said the Rays are “going to lean on” offseason trade acquisition José Caballero at shortstop to start the season, with Taylor Walls likely to return from hip surgery later in April and Wander Franco’s status uncertain. Who might back up Caballero on Opening Day? Osleivis Basabe is one candidate, but Cash noted infielders like Curtis Mead will work at shortstop this spring to see if they’re comfortable holding down that role.

• Before Neander and Cash’s press conference began, an unintentional reminder of how long the Rays have been away from Charlotte Sports Park appeared on the scoreboard: Tampa Bay’s lineup from the final inning of the last Grapefruit League game played here on April 4, 2022. This should be the Rays’ first “normal” Spring Training camp since 2019, as they have been limited or had plans changed since then due to the pandemic, the lockout and Hurricane Ian.