Rays' Evan Longoria: Changes offseason routine heading into '17 campaign

Longoria, who hit a career-high 36 homers in 2016, did a lot less hitting this offseason than in years past, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Analysis:

Instead, the veteran third baseman opted for a heavy dose of pilates alongside his wife and feels the reduced workload this offseason was natural byproduct of him shortening his swing last season. Considering the standout campaign he enjoyed, that adjustment paid considerable dividends. Longoria remarked that his swing "has probably felt as good as it's ever felt coming into spring" and he is excited about the upcoming season despite the fact he'll no longer have close friend and former teammate Logan Forsythe in the clubhouse. "I think we were all a little bit upset by the loss of Logan, I was about as vocal as I've ever been on any given topic or move that we've made, but that being said some of the additions we did make are really good.''