"Jeff Keppinger not only knows what he's getting into with the Rays, he likes the sound of it.

Having spent most of his career in the middle infield, Keppinger signed Friday — getting a one-year deal for $1.525 million plus incentives — to be the next product of the Tampa Bay superutilityman factory. Russ Canzler was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

"I'm up for anything," Keppinger said. "I like that prospect rather than a team just limiting me to be a backup at one position, so that kind of attracted me the most."

Though he has made only eight appearances at first base and five in the outfield, and though the Giants let him go because they believed he wasn't good enough at shortstop, Keppinger, 31, said he can handle whatever the Rays have for him.

"I know there's a lot of talk that people tell me I'm limited at playing certain positions, but I don't feel that way. I just go out and do the best I can," he said.

The Rays like his versatility, executive vice president Andrew Friedman saying in a statement that Keppinger will "make an impact in many different ways.""