"There are plenty of players available to fill the Rays needs at first base and designated hitter.

Names like Vladimir Guerrero and Hideki Matsui for DH.

Names like Carlos Peña and Derrek Lee for first base.

Names like Johnny Damon and Casey Kotchman, if the Rays want to resign a couple of key components from a team that won 91 games last season, made up nine games in the standings during September and edged the Red Sox for the American League Wild Card on the final night of the regular season.

Rays vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman won't say much about his progress toward filling those spots, other than to say there are more than a few scenarios in the works and he's confident he is moving in the right direction on both positions.

The Rays have been linked by multiple reports to free-agent outfielder Carlos Beltran, who signed with the Cardinals, and rookie first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who was traded Friday from the Padres to the Cubs.

Earlier this week, center fielder Coco Crisp told the San Francisco Chronicle he was close to signing with Tampa Bay before agreeing to re-sign with the A's after the A's upped their offer."