Offishial News: Andrew Pintar settles into center field; Rays renting in Tampa Bay next season

[Ely Sussman]

Today's news roundup also includes a wrap-up of the 2024 Arizona Fall League.

On Thursday out in the desert, the Peoria Javelinas played their Arizona Fall League season finale. OF Andrew Pintar went 1-for-4 with a walk and stolen base. INF Jay Beshears went 0-for-4 with 3 strikeouts. Solid results for RHP Jun-Seok Shim (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HBP, 22 pitches/11 strikes), but his diminished velocity and lack of control remain worrisome. Check out my analysis of every Marlins prospect who played in the AFL.

In winter ball competition, 1B Deyvison De Los Santos went 0-for-4 and 1B Troy Johnston went 1-for-4 with 2 RBI.

More Marlins news and content below:

🔷 Pintar just became a full-time outfielder this year. He explains to MLB Pipeline what was going through his mind when making several types of difficult defensive plays.

🔷 Kevin Barral looks ahead to Tuesday's Rule 5 Draft protection deadline.

🔷 Diamond Sports Group finally received approval on Thursday to emerge from bankruptcy. The Marlins are retaining FanDuel Sports Network Florida (previously Bally Sports Florida) as their local TV partner through at least 2026. This news comes the day after FDSN Florida announced a multi-year agreement with Prime Video, offering an alternative for cord-cutters in South Florida to watch live games and pregame/postgame programming.

🔷 After a solid finish to the 2024 season in the Marlins starting rotation, Adam Oller has inked a deal with the KBO's KIA Tigers, the reigning Korean Series champions. Best of luck to him!

🔷 The Pensacola Blue Wahoos announced a series of promotions and additions to their front office staff.

🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, the Rays will be playing their home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field in 2025 while Tropicana Field undergoes repairs. It's the spring training home of the Yankees and also hosts New York's Low-A Tampa affiliate. Ironically, this means they're finally moving to Tampa Bay after spending their whole existence across the bridge in St. Petersburg. The Marlins are scheduled to visit from June 6-8. The Guardians promoted bench coach Craig Albernaz to associate manager. Albernaz was initially believed to be the frontrunner in the Marlins managerial search, but evidently was convinced to stay in Cleveland for another year. The Giants hired Randy Winn as their new vice president of player development. The Angels signed INF Kevin Newman to a one-year deal with a 2026 club option. The 2024 All-MLB selections were announced.

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[1993 fan from start]

my understanding last check Rays sale 16,000 tickets per game.

move to a a stadium with 11,000 seats.   rays may lose money in 2025.

marlins vs rays should been move to marlins stadium/ loan depo park .

and im i the only upset Citrus Series was only 4 games in 2024 ? 

would  like to see at lest 6 games a year..   or what would have ? 

[THOMAS JOSEPH]

It's fascinating that two AL teams will play the entire 2025 season in minor league parks. Kinda cool, to be honest, since the intimacy is quite a draw, I would think, along with creating immediately higher ticket prices. Supply and demand are always manifest. I saw Brodie Brazil's podcasts about the wild Sacramento ticket prices, reflecting the city's fan interest combined with limited seating. The Rays' off-field decisions, which are bound by and in conjunction with the governmental authorities, would also be unique, except the A's are in a similar boat. Could the 2025 Tampa-side experience be the impetus for a change in the location of the new Rays stadium away from St. Petersburg after all? Lastly, I reiterate that letting Oller leave seems misguided. He was adequate, ate innings, and was inexpensive - juxtaposed upon the team's starting staff questions. Oh, well. 

[rurrusuno]

7 hours ago, 1993 fan from start said:

my understanding last check Rays sale 16,000 tickets per game.

move to a a stadium with 11,000 seats.   rays may lose money in 2025.

marlins vs rays should been move to marlins stadium/ loan depo park .

and im i the only upset Citrus Series was only 4 games in 2024 ? 

would  like to see at lest 6 games a year..   or what would have ? 

I don't think they'll have issues selling tickets at a minor league ballpark, especially one that can fit their average attendance per game (16,500). Also, the field is in Tampa which would make it easier for people in the metropolitan area to commute to rather than having to drive an additional half hour across the bay. 

The main issue for the Rays is that they'll definitely be losing money in ticket sales next season and also the climate issues they didn't face at the Trop due to the roof. They'll have to deal with rainouts and hot summer games. 

[Ely Sussman]

22 hours ago, 1993 fan from start said:

my understanding last check Rays sale 16,000 tickets per game.

move to a a stadium with 11,000 seats.   rays may lose money in 2025.

With a smaller capacity, demand for the available seats will go up and they can raise prices along with it!

I'm just trying to find a bright spot in a rough situation. Yes, they will make less money than they originally planned.

[Ely Sussman]

19 hours ago, THOMAS JOSEPH said:

I reiterate that letting Oller leave seems misguided. He was adequate, ate innings, and was inexpensive - juxtaposed upon the team's starting staff questions. Oh, well. 

Also, I was curious what he'd look like as a reliever. If nothing else, he has a very good breaking ball that hitters can't do much against when he's locating it well.

Given the timing of the roster move so early in the offseason, I wonder if Oller actually requested his release in order to pitch in Korea. There are limited spots for foreigners on KBO teams that dry up within a few weeks of the season ending. He might've valued this opportunity over the uncertainty of coming to a major league camp without a guaranteed role.

[THOMAS JOSEPH]

On 11/16/2024 at 10:09 AM, Ely Sussman said:

Also, I was curious what he'd look like as a reliever. If nothing else, he has a very good breaking ball that hitters can't do much against when he's locating it well.

Given the timing of the roster move so early in the offseason, I wonder if Oller actually requested his release in order to pitch in Korea. There are limited spots for foreigners on KBO teams that dry up within a few weeks of the season ending. He might've valued this opportunity over the uncertainty of coming to a major league camp without a guaranteed role.

Well, that's a good point. I bet he wanted to be proactive. Can't blame him. Maybe he'll pull a Fedde.