MAILBAG: Tampa Bay Rays Shortstop Carson Williams Looks To PROVE Doubters Wrong in 2026

Tampa Bay Rays face a season loaded with pressure as Carson Williams shoulders the weight of becoming the club’s new franchise shortstop alongside Junior Caminero, seeking to erase the aftermath of the Wander Franco era. Hosts Kevin and Ulises highlight which Rays players have the most to prove in 2026, from Shane McClanahan’s return from injury to Hunter Feduccia’s open path at catcher and Gavin Lux’s contract year challenge at second base.

The conversation heats up with analysis of the Rays’ new TV rights deal: fans can now stream games on the MLB app without local blackouts, a long-awaited victory for the Tampa Bay fanbase, even if it means a hit to ownership revenue. Plus, could trading Josh Lowe haunt the Rays as he heads to the Angels? The hosts weigh the risk of losing potential future stars versus banking on young, untested outfield talent to step up this season

00:00 — Rays Players With Most to Prove

11:37 — New Rays TV Rights & Fan Impact

23:55 — Will Rays Regret Trading Josh Lowe?

Follow Kevin Weiss @KevinWeiss_

Follow Ulises Sambrano @SambranoUlises

Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…

🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-rays/

Locked On MLB League-Wide: Every Team, Prospects & More

🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/leagues/mlb/

#Rays #TampaBayRays #MLB

Everydayer Club

If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans.

Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Turbo Tax

For a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28. Take taxes off your plate and get back to your life.

Visit https://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today.

Rocket Money

Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join at http://RocketMoney.com/LOCKEDON

FanDuel

If you’re a new customer, bet just $5 and get $200 in Bonus Bets if you win. Make it count — because after the Super Bowl, the season is over. Last call for football on FanDuel, an Official Sportsbook Partner of Super Bowl Sixty.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.