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Cash Considerations: Early Season Lineup Construction

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There has been plenty of discussion surrounding Kevin Cash’s lineup decisions. Cash addressed those concerns recently, noting that the team expects to experiment with different lineups throughout the season. Much of the focus has centered on Chandler Simpson’s place in the order and Junior Caminero’s lack of traditional lineup protection.

It’s not a matter of […]

Aug 26, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash (16) stands in the dugout in the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images There has been plenty of discussion surrounding Kevin Cash’s lineup decisions. Cash addressed those concerns recently , noting that the team expects to experiment with different lineups throughout the season.

Much of the focus has centered on Chandler Simpson’s place in the order and Junior Caminero’s lack of traditional lineup protection. It’s not a matter of these decisions being “right” or “wrong,” but there’s a clear pattern and underlying rationale behind them. Leading-off One of the main criticisms of the Rays lineups has been Simpson’s spot in the order.

Some want to see him leveraging his speed at the top of the lineup. That would mean bumping Yandy Diaz down to 2nd or 3rd in the lineup. He’s the best on-base hitter on the roster, so they could potentially be leaving runs off the board by replacing him with Simpson.

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