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Longoria optimistic about crisp, new Cash

 
Evan Longoria reported to Rays camp Tuesday saying he didn't want manager Joe Maddon to leave the Rays but that they will be better for it. [Times files (2014)]
Evan Longoria reported to Rays camp Tuesday saying he didn't want manager Joe Maddon to leave the Rays but that they will be better for it. [Times files (2014)]
Published Feb. 25, 2015

PORT CHARLOTTE — With much the same graceful balance he shows at third base, Evan Longoria reported to camp Tuesday saying he didn't want manager Joe Maddon to leave the Rays but the team will be better for it.

"I just think there comes a time when it's just the right time for somebody new," Longoria said.

"I think everybody here is looking forward to a new year and just a fresh start and something that's different. I think sometimes things are needed and necessary to kind of keep you on track. That's no knock on Joe. Obviously he did so many great things for the franchise and so many great things for me as a player. But I guess all good things come to an end at some point."

Longoria had no complaints or specific reasons why, and much of what he said was as much about his excitement in having Kevin Cash take over as his reaction to Maddon opting out of his contract after nine years and taking over the Cubs.

"If we had Joe and he's the manager and he's in there right now, we're all happy to have him back," Longoria said. "It's not that I'm happy he's gone and that I wanted him gone. Or it's not the other way around where I'm sad to see him gone and I don't think that things are going to be good because he's not here.

"I just think sometimes when the time has come, the time has come, and I think it's a great time for Kevin to be able to step in and kind of experience the sense of newness with a lot of people. And the guys who have been here are excited for what he's going to bring."

And, as it turns out, one of the things Longoria likes most about Cash is that he is similar to Maddon in terms of philosophy.

"He's really positive, man," Longoria said. "That's the one thing I was hoping when we did hire a new manager that we wouldn't stray too far away from that sort of tone and perspective that Joe brought every day where it's a 'Today's a new day' attitude and 'We're here to have fun and here to win ball games.' I think (Cash) really epitomizes that, and Matt (Silverman, baseball operations president) did a really good job in finding that in a manager."

Cash's transition will be easier, Longoria said, because of the extensive change to the roster, as 10 key members of last year's squad are gone, along with coaches George Hendrick and Dave Martinez, replaced by Rocco Baldelli and Charlie Montoyo.

"I'm really looking forward to getting to know Kevin as a manager and a guy," he said. "For the few of us that have been here for a few years, we know the added benefit of having Charlie Montoyo and having Rocco Baldelli, and just some different and fresh ideas and perspectives on things. I think it's going to be a good year, a young team, a bunch of guys that are eager to learn and get out there and win games."

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While Longoria, 29, talks excitedly about serving as a mentor, he can obviously have more of an impact with a big year at the plate, coming off a disappointing season in which he hit .253 with 22 homers, 91 RBIs and a career-low .724 on-base plus slugging percentage.

Joking that the key is "I plan to play better," Longoria has made some off-field changes to help do so, topped by a pledge not to put too much pressure on himself.

Playing well on the MLB team that toured Japan in November made him more hungry to get back at it. He returned after several years away to his previous Arizona offseason training facility (Exos, formerly Athletes Performance). And he has made slight adjustments in his routine based on theories in performance psychology book, Bounce.

Longoria is also citing entrepreneur Mark Cuban's writings and watching YouTube videos of motivational speaker Les Brown, tweeting one of his quotes on his way into camp: "You don't have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great."

And from the sound of it, Longoria is excited that it's a fresh start.

Contact Marc Topkin at mtopkin@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Rays.