Tampa Bay Rays made the right move with Kevin Cash

The Tampa Bay Rays handed manager Kevin Cash a long term extension on Tuesday. It was the right move for the franchise.

Over the years, the Tampa Bay Rays have not had a lot of consistency. Their players come and go, with even franchise icons like Evan Longoria being traded once their salary becomes more than the Rays budget can handle. It is just a matter of time before everyone on the roster is traded, in a never ending cycle of prospects.

Yet, for all of the rebuilding and turnover, the Rays have had a great deal of stability at manager. Since the start of the 2006 season, only Joe Maddon and Kevin Cash have been on the Tampa Bay bench. The Rays are planning on keeping it that way, as they have signed Cash to a long term extension.

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This extension will now keep Cash with the Rays through the 2024 season, with an option for 2025. It is an extensive commitment to their manager, albeit one that is well deserved. Although the Rays were expected to finish towards the cellar of the American League, Cash helped guide the team to an impressive 90-72 record, keeping the Rays competitive despite the trades of Alex Colome, Chris Archer, and Denard Span.

And yet, he kept finding ways to win. Whether it was by seemingly unorthodox means, such as the introduction of the Opener, or getting Blake Snell to tap into his potential, the Rays kept rolling. Even as the Yankees and Red Sox continued to dominate the competition, the Rays stayed right there.

A bright future is seemingly ahead for the Rays. Top prospects like Brent Honeywell and Jose De Leon will be back in the middle of 2019. A new ballpark may actually be coming, giving the Rays more revenue to work with. That young team could grow up quickly, with Cash there to guide it along the way.

The Tampa Bay Rays have the right manager in Kevin Cash. They have made sure that he stays, locking him into a long term extension.