Rays 2011 off-season......

[Tobywan]

With the Pena signing, it means the end of Kotchman. Hopefully, he finds a home in a text to the local beat writer Marc Topkin he said…"I had fun playing with my AWESOME teammates at home in front of my friends and family!"

Topkin also says the Indians are interested in him.


Other moves this week.

RHP Matt Torra-re-signed, spent the second half of 2011 with Durham.

2B Will Rhymes-played 83 games for the Tigers in 2010-11 but spent most of last season at Toledo, was non-tendered after the season.

OF Jesus Feliciano-played 54 games for the 2010 Mets, spent most of last season at Buffalo.


RHP Romulo Sanchez-had very brief ML league time with the Pirates (2007-08) and Yankees (2010), spent last season in Japan with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.

All 4 given invites to ST.

[Tobywan]

The Rays formally welcome back Pena will don the same number…good my shirts still in style! OF Justin Ruggiano was DFA’d to make room.

Pena returns.
I was bracing myself for a starter or two to get traded, thinking how they were going to trim this “inflated” (well for this team) payroll, but according to Silverman they aren’t panicking to trim the “fat”. With Moore and Cobb there is a chance to move either Niemann or Davis or both.

Many of the players were a “twitter” over the return of Pena he even got a call from Maddon at the airport in Rome. (must have just arrived from Greece)

Billboards up!




Putting Los to work already phoning season ticket holders!

[love_that_reefer]

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports that Jeff Keppinger is close to an agreement with the Rays.
Topkin says the major league contract should be finalized by the end of this week. Keppinger batted just .277/.300/.377 with six home runs and 35 RBI across 399 plate appearances last season between the Giants and Astros, but he's capable of providing a backup presence all around the Tampa Bay infield and probably won't cost more than $1.5 million on a one-year deal.

I like it!

[Tobywan]

Me too!

This is the line the Rays like.......... career .324 / .371 / .481 / .852 VS LHPs

[Tobywan]

In minor stuff...

Non Roster Spring invitees include SS prospects Tim Beckham and Hak-Ju Lee; Cs Ashley, Albernaz; Ps M. Fleming, Ryan Reid and Rickty Ora.

Signed RHP Bryan Augenstein (former Gator) to minor-league deal with invite, was with the Cardinals last year mainly in AAA.

6 Rays made MLB.com's top 100 Moore (1), Lee (46), Archer (76), Beckham (92), Mahtook (96), Guerrieri (99).

[Kingdom]

And done. VERY solid signing.

Source -- Tampa Bay Rays agree with utilityman Jeff Keppinger - ESPN

[Tobywan]

To make room for Keppinger, the Rays DFA'd Russ Canzler.

[zodious]

I've been a huge fan of Kepp since he was in the reds minor league system, great utility guy, will not strike out but 20 times a season, and hustles everywhere. Not enough guys like him.

[Tobywan]

Ruggiano declined outright to Durham and became a free agent. Bye Justin, good luck!

[Tobywan]

Bye Russ, good luck with the Tribe.

[Tobywan]

As expected the Rays win arbitration case against Niemann.
Will be paid $2.75 M that Rays offered.

[Tobywan]

In my opinion the best deal of the off season!

Rays reward best manager!

[love_that_reefer]

Yeah, great deal for both sides! Maddon and Friedman are a great combo

[Tobywan]

I am sure the other teams local sports network show replays of games from the previous season, when I can, I watch/rewatch past games....today's showing is Matt Moore's first ML start at Yankee stadium! Yahoo!!!

[Witlon]

From Rotoworld.com, an intresting canidate for the Rays bullpen may be developing? Thoughts?

Rays manager Joe Maddon has singled out Matt Bush as looking good early on in spring training.
"Here's a guy that's overcoming a lot of adversity, and he's doing a great job with it," Maddon said. "To his credit, the second half of last year (for Double-A Montgomery) in the Southern League I guess he was lights out, and it looks like he's carrying that over right now, because it looks really good." Bush, who is a former No. 1 overall pick as a shortstop, posted a 3.04 ERA and 35/9 K/BB ratio over 23 2/3 second half innings last year at Double-A. It would be a nice story, but he remains a longshot to win a spot in the bullpen.