Longoria "Really Likes" Rays Chances For 2017

PORT CHARLOTTE (620 WDAE) -- The first thing you notice about 2017 version of Evan Longoria is what's been growing on his face.

"I started growing it in November," Longoria said about looking like Paul Bunyan.  "And it just kept growing.  My wife likes it, that's what it's all about."

The facial hair isn't the only thing different about the Rays third baseman.  He also decided after a bounce-back 2016 that saw him hit a career-best 36 home runs and drive in 98 runs, his hitting in the offseason would take a backseat.

"I went back to EXOS and worked out which is a place where I've worked out before," Longoria said.  "[I also] took the Jake Arrietta advice and did a bunch of pilates with my wife, and did less hitting.  A lot less hitting."

The third baseman also touched on the Fangraphs and PECOTA projections that have the Rays winning much more than the 68 times they did in 2016.

"It is always good to have some expectations of winning.  It drives the group and you should come to the ballpark expecting to win every day," Longoria explained.  "[But] projections are what they are.  They're just guesses.  It comes down to how the roster is constructed at the end of Spring Training going into the year, and how that roster performs, how they stay healthy.  It's about piecing it together, and if everybody has the kind of year that they're expected to have on our team, and we stay healthy, I really like our chances."

Listen to more form Longoria below!


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content