Rays sign Brad Hawpe to a minor league deal.

[Tobywan]

Yes, another lefty!

[Trendy Bastard]

Wouldn't have minded giving him a shot with the Cubs, even though their OF is overfull as it is.

[Tobywan]

He's mainly to be the DH against lefties and according to the announcers has been told this by Friedman, he says he has tried to pick up pointers from Giambi on the mentality. He will be with the Charlotte Crabs until call-ups.

[Tobywan]

Cool, everyone seems to be happy.

[Kingdom]

Fact: Hawpe only has 2 more homers at Coors than he does away from Coors. It's a safe gamble, and relatively cost effective.

[Tobywan]

Oh, we're getting him for a steal.

[realmofotalk]

He's due for salary arbitration after the year despite a subpar season, so unless he and the Rays agree to a deal, which will certainly not be another minor league contract, he'll be non-tendered.

[missionhockey21]

Unless he shows flashes of what he once was, and the Rays decide to hang on to him (especially with the Crawford Crisis looming.) Either way, good move.

[love_that_reefer]

Don't forget Pena is a FA too

[Tobywan]

Yes, exactly what I thought, that this is a possible "insurance" move with CC and Pena being FA.