Tampa Bay Rays News

Comeback for Pat Burrell may be key to Tampa Bay Rays' season
Comment
February 7
St. Petersburg Times
 
"What single player is most key to the Rays' 2010 success? There are lots of answers. Assuming health, stars Carl Crawford, Evan Longoria and Carlos Peña are obviously all integral. From there, you could make a case for RHP Rafael Soriano, the $7 million-a-year closer they unexpectedly brought in. For CF B.J. Upton, who has the potential to be a differencemaker. For RHP Jeff Niemann or LHP David Price or, actually, any of the starters in a young rotation that must perform. What about Pat Burrell? The biggest disappointment in a downer of a 2009 season, Burrell's return to form could have a huge impact. This was the guy, after all, who averaged .262 with 31 homers and 99 RBIs over the ..."
Either way, Upton wins at arbitration
Comment
February 7
Tampa Tribune
 
"Rays center fielder B.J. Upton on arbitration: "I don't think anybody ever wants to actually go to a hearing." Rays vice president of baseball Andrew Friedman on arbitration: "I'm not the biggest fan of this process. I'm certainly not its biggest advocate. But it is what it is, and we all have to operate within it." So why are the Rays and Upton headed to an arbitration hearing Friday in St. Petersburg? Because in 1974, baseball owners overwhelmingly voted to approve this form of dispute resolution to settle salary issues for players with three to five years of service time. And the Rays and Upton have salary issues. Upton asked for $3.3 million for the 2010 season. The Rays offered $3 ..."
Rays claim relief pitcher Mike Ekstrom off waivers from Padres
Comment
February 4
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays added some depth to their bullpen for this season, and a potential key piece for the future, in claiming right-hander Mike Ekstrom off waivers from San Diego. Ekstrom, 26, hasn't fared well in limited major-league exposure (0-2, 6.75 ERA in 20 games over two seasons), but he is coming off an excellent showing at Triple-A Portland in his first full season as a reliever: 4-2, 1.73 in 621/3 innings over 42 games, with 43 strikeouts, 16 walks and a .202 opponents average. A 12th-round pick in 2004, Ekstrom throws in the low 90s with a hard slider. With two minor-league options remaining, Ekstrom seems likely targeted for Triple-A Durham to start this season, leaving open the ..."
Rays add bullpen depth by signing Ekstrom
Comment
February 4
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Tampa Bay Rays added an arm to the bullpen Wednesday when they claimed former San Diego Padres right-hander Mike Ekstrom off waivers and signed him to a major league contract. They also announced the signings of catcher Alvin Colina and left-handed pitcher Heath Phillips to minor league contracts with invites to major league spring training. The addition of Ekstrom brings the number of players on the Rays 40-man roster to 38. Look for the team to sign a few more players before opening camp on Feb. 19. The 26-year-old Ekstrom made 20 relief appearances for the Padres during the past two seasons. He spent the bulk of 2009 at Triple A Portland, where he was 4-2 with a 1.73 ERA in 62 1/3 ..."
Expect Tampa Bay Rays to try to upgrade roster despite payroll restrictions
Comment
January 31
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Spring training opens in 2½ weeks, and the company line is that there's a good chance the Rays roster will look pretty much as it does now. Doubt it. The Rays aren't, despite rumors flying elsewhere, going to make a big-money addition. They can't, at least as constituted. They already have a franchise-record $68 million committed and will be over $70 million when they sign their 5-6 players (such as Jeff Niemann and Ben Zobrist) in the $400,000-plus range. But there are too many quality free agents still on the market whose price will be dropping as the calendar flips and too many interesting ideas floating around theoffices at the Trop to think that someone new won't join the 49 already ..."
Put that bubbly back on ice, fans
Comment
January 31
St. Petersburg Times
 columnist Marc Topkin
"Remember a few days ago when Baseball Prospectus' PECOTA projections tabbed the Rays to win the AL East with an MLB-best 96 victories? Turns out even the stats experts make mistakes. And after discovering and correcting some errors in computation, they've put up adjusted standings - and the Rays don't fare as well this time."
Bullet train could pad Rays' gate
Comment
January 30
Tampa Tribune
 
"Of all the reasons for the Tampa Bay Rays' poor attendance - its domed stadium, historically bad teams - perhaps none trumps its distant location. But what if you could jump on a bullet train and arrive within a block or two of a stadium in a half-hour? No traffic. No parking hassle. The same terminal would also be a hub that would draw passengers from several modes of transportation, including proposed light rail systems and bus lines. Conceivably, that could happen, although it would require some huge hypothetical events to take place. Biggest of all, the Rays would have to relocate to downtown Tampa or somewhere nearby, which is a very big "if." For now, there appears to be little ..."
Matt the bat
Comment
January 30
Tampa Tribune
 
"There was champagne and roses and a room in the Clontarf Castle Hotel, with a romantic view of Dublin. "I'm a romantic guy," Matt Joyce said. He was down on one knee, a diamond ring in one hand. "What are you doing?" asked his soon-to-be fiancee, Randi Jones. "I'm proposing," Joyce said. Randi said yes. "She freaked out," Joyce said. The Clontarf Castle was built in 1837. There have been castles on the same site in Dublin, Ireland, since 1172. Joyce used the historic setting to pop the question a few weeks ago during the final night of a visit to the land of his and Randi's ancestors. "It was really cool. Really, really cool," Joyce said. "It was a good time." Joyce has since ..."
Rays altering weekend start times
Comment
January 30
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Tampa Bay Rays have changed the start times for Friday home games, moving them up to 7:10 p.m. They've also juggled the start times on Saturday, with games that begin at 3:10 p.m., 4:05 p.m., 4:10 p.m., 6:10 p.m. and 7:10 p.m. Friday night games began at 7:38 last season, a move aimed toward given fans more time to reach Tropicana Field. While many liked the later start, the Rays learned most fans didn't like the later finishes. Saturday game times are affected by FOX baseball, which does not permit teams to televise games during the 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. slot reserved for the FOX Saturday Game of the Week, and the Rays annual summer concert series. FOX will come to the Trop for ..."
Baseball Prospectus predicts the Tampa Bay Rays will win the AL East
Comment
January 29
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Yankees and Red Sox have made bigger splashes this offseason, but according to the number-crunchers at Baseball Prospectus, the Rays will be the ones squirting champagne in October. The Prospectus crew's first 2010 PECOTA projections have the Rays coming out on top of the American League East with a major-league best 96-66 mark. The Red Sox are projected to finish second at 95-67 and the defending champions Yankees third, and out of the playoffs, at 93-69. Big Rays seasons are projected from Evan Longoria (.275, 36 home runs, 109 RBIs), Carlos Pena (34 homers, 97 RBIs) and Ben Zobrist (.271, 26 homers, 79 RBIs), and pitchers James Shields (15-7, 3.40 earned-run average) and Rafael ..."
Could rail attract Rays stadium to Tampa?
Comment
January 29
Tampa Tribune
 
"Of all the reasons for the Tampa Bay Rays' poor attendance – its domed stadium, historically bad teams – perhaps none trumps its distant location. But, what if you could jump on a bullet train and arrive within a block or two of the stadium in a half-hour? No traffic. No parking hassle. Conceivably, that could happen, although it would require some huge hypothetical events to take place. Biggest of all, the Rays would have to relocate to downtown Tampa or somewhere nearby, which is a very big "if." For now, there appears to be little political will to use public money to build a new baseball stadium or to kick off a bidding war for the Rays between Tampa and St. Petersburg. Still, it's not ..."
Baseball Prospectus projects Rays to win East
Comment
January 28
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Baseball Prospectus is out with its initial PECOTA projection for the 2010 season, and it has the Rays winning the AL East. The projected standings have the Rays finishing 96-66, the Red Sox next at 95-67 and the Yankees third (and missing the playoffs) at 93-69. The Rays' 96-66 record would be the best in the majors. The key to their success are projected big seasons for Evan Longoria (.275, 36 HRs, 109 RBIs), Carl Crawford (.302, 15 HRs, 48 SBs), Carlos Pena (.241, 34 HRs, 97 RBIs) and Ben Zobrist (.271, 26 HRs, 79 RBIs) at the plate, and James Shields (15-7, 3.40) and Rafael Soriano (38 saves) on the mound. BP even projects something of a bounce-back for DH Pat Burrell - .235 with 19 ..."
An interesting minor-league sign: Matt Bush
Comment
January 28
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays signed RHP Matt Bush, the former No. 1 overall pick of the Padres in 2004, to a minor-league contract. Bush, 24, was converted from shortstop to pitching, and has had a number of on- and off-field issues."
Johnny Damon says he'll listen if Tampa Bay Rays are interested
Comment
January 28
St. Petersburg Times
 
"With former Ray Randy Winn taking his leftfield spot in New York, Johnny Damon is officially looking for a new home. And if the Rays want to talk, Damon will listen. "I would be interested,'' he said in a text message to the St. Petersburg Times. "They have a good team, and I feel like they can get back to the World Series.'' The Yankees agreed to a one-year deal for about $2 million with Winn, a 1998-2002 Ray. Winn, 35, was most recently with the Giants, hitting .262 with two homers and 51 RBIs in 2009. The Rays immediately were among the teams reported to be interested in Damon, though it would seem unlikely if he indeed is still seeking a salary of about $7 million. Damon said Wednesday ..."
Rays have interest in Damon
Comment
January 28
New York Post
 
"A darkhorse has emerged in pursuit of Johnny Damon, and it is an AL East rival of the Yankees. The Tampa Bay Rays have been in regular contact with Scott Boras about adding Damon to be their primary DH, The Post has learned. With the signing of Randy Winn, the Yankees are no longer hedging on Damon, but instead are saying there is zero chance of his return to New York. Friends of Damon say interest in the lefty hitter has intensified as clubs have grown to believe that the Yankees will not swoop in at the last minute to re-sign him. The A's are definitely involved with Damon, and there have been reports the Reds and Tigers are interested. The Rays have pretty much stayed covert on the ..."
Rays catcher Dioner Navarro optimistic about coming back from bad season
Comment
January 28
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Relative to the world of major-league baseball (as unrelative as that is to most people), Dioner Navarro has had it pretty rough. A miserable career-worst season, followed by left elbow surgery. Threatened with being dropped from the team, then humbled to forego a raise and re-sign for the same salary he made last season (albeit $2.1 million). Challenged as the Rays sought and acquired (and signed long-term) another catcher to push for, and potentially take, his job. Of all the ways Navarro could take such developments — whether it be shocked, shaken or stirred — he chose an interesting response: A smile and a shrug. "Regardless, since the season that I had, I knew I need to come back ..."
Rays' Navarro doesn't see Shoppach signing as a negative
Comment
January 28
Tampa Tribune
 
"Rays manager Joe Maddon said Dioner Navarro would be the first to tell anyone he had a poor year in 2009, and sure enough, there was Navarro on Wednesday morning, standing on the field at Tropicana Field, pointing the finger directly at himself. "There's nobody to blame but me," Navarro said. "I didn't play to my abilities, and that's the bottom line. Hopefully that doesn't happen the next season coming up." Here's the deal about the next season coming up: Navarro will share the catcher position with Kelly Shoppach, whom the Rays traded for Dec. 1 and signed to a two-year, $5.55 million contract with an option for a third season. Navarro's reaction? "I knew we needed to go get somebody," ..."
Hudson talks remain fluid
Comment
January 27
Foxsports.com
 
"Free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson looks like he will have a choice. Take a strong financial offer from the Nationals. Take perhaps a lesser contract from the Rays. Or take a deal from another club that might put him near the Nats financially and the Rays competitively — if such an opportunity exists. The Nationals and Rays both are pursuing Hudson, but his negotiations remain fluid, major-league sources say. At least one, unidentified team might still be in the mix. That team could be the Twins, who are known to have interest in Hudson, major-league sources say. So far this offseason, the Twins have been linked more with third basemen than second basemen. Nick Punto and Brendan ..."
Stadium report says everything the Tampa Bay Rays could have hoped
Comment
January 27
St. Petersburg Times
 columnist John Romano
"So let's go over some of the issues addressed by the ABC Coalition in regard to the Rays' stadium situation: That a new facility with a retractable roof is actually needed? Check. That it should be in a more central location than downtown St. Petersburg? Check. That public funding should probably account for 70-80 percent of the cost? Um, checkbook? Short of finding some sucker to take Pat Burrell off their hands, this report pretty much accomplished everything the Rays could have wanted this off-season. It acknowledged Tropicana Field is an inferior facility. It acknowledged downtown is an inferior location. And it put a voice to the warning that the team could eventually flee if the ..."
Coalition eyes three stadium sites for Rays
Comment
January 26
MLB.com
 
"The Rays need a new stadium with a retractable roof and it needs to be located closer to Tampa, the ABC Coalition that examined the Rays' stadium issue concluded in its report on Monday. The report, issued by an 11-member group of business and community leaders organized in 2008 at the request of then-St. Petersburg mayor Rick Baker, named three potential sites for a new ballpark and suggested that if a proactive approach is not taken, the Rays could move elsewhere in the future. The report is not binding and the Rays are contractually obligated to play at Tropicana Field through the 2026 season. The Rays have never threatened to move."
Upton open to long-term deal with Tampa Bay Rays
Comment
January 26
St. Petersburg Times
 
"B.J. Upton was in a generous mood Monday, hosting a charity golf tournament that benefits the homeless. And a conciliatory one. Upton not only assured that his pending arbitration hearing — no matter the result — won't affect his preparation or mind-set for the upcoming season but came out with his strongest expression of interest yet in signing a long-term deal with the Rays. "You know what? I'm definitely all for that," Upton said before teeing off at Hunter's Green. "I love the city of Tampa, and I'd definitely love to be here for an extensive period of time. If that's something that they want to talk about, I'm definitely open ears for it." Ultimately, the numbers will matter more than ..."
Upton is 'all for' lengthy contract with Rays
Comment
January 26
Tampa Tribune
 
"B.J. Upton and the Rays are headed toward salary arbitration next month unless the club decides to bypass the process and offer its center fielder a multiyear contract. "You know what, I'm definitely all for that," Upton said Monday morning. "I love the city of Tampa, and I'd love to be here for an extensive period of time. So if that's something they want to talk about I definitely have open ears." And is that something the Rays want to talk about? "B.J. is a very important part of this organization and we would like for him to remain so for the foreseeable future," Rays vice president of baseball Andrew Friedman said. "While we don't discuss specifics on contracts or potential contracts, ..."
Finally, common sense has prevailed in Rays' stadium debate
Comment
January 26
Tampa Tribune
 
"That rather loud cracking noise you heard late Monday afternoon was the sound of a starter's pistol, metaphorically speaking. It's time to get moving. If anyone has a real clue how to get a baseball stadium built in Tampa to replace Tropicana Field, I think you just got the go-ahead. Rule No. 1: bring lots of cash. Rule No. 2 (see the first rule). Let the proposals begin. Anybody? Speak up? OK, this may take a while. While we wait, though, we can at least be comforted by a confirmed outbreak of common sense. A group of civic and business leaders, most of who live in Pinellas County, spent the past 18 months studying the stadium issue from all sides. Their draft report, issued Monday, ..."
The New Jersey/southern Connecticut Rays? Or how about the Orlando Rays?
Comment
January 25
St. Petersburg Times
 
"There's a lot of interest in the Rays these days. Peter Gammons wrote on mlb.com that there are MLB officials "wondering if there's hope of even discussing a potential move of the Rays to New Jersey or Southern Connecticut over certain protests from the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox and Phillies." And now there's an Orlando political candidate, Armando Gutierrez, launching yet another effort to bring a team to central Florida - claiming he has a group of deep-pocket investors and talking about building a privately financed stadium."
Carl Crawford: Seattle Mariners May Make a Run at the Rays' Left Fielder
Comment
January 25
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
 columnist Andy Auger
"Despite their recent success, the Tampa Bay Rays remain as one of baseball's thriftiest teams (not saying that's a bad thing; rather, it's a good thing), and that preference is not likely to change anytime soon in an economic recession. There was a blurb in Sports Illustrated citing a Boston Globe report that the Rays will likely offload stars Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena before the trade deadline in 2010. A deal does seem very likely given their payroll will be somewhere around the 2009 figure of $44 million; Crawford and Pena will likely command around $10 million apiece on the open market at least. Crawford brings all the intangibles Seattle General Manager Jack Zduriencik loves in ..."
Rays' Rookie-league pitcher Bellatti sustains minor injuries in car crash that kills one
Comment
January 25
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Agent Jonathan Weisz told the San Diego Union Tribune Sunday that Bellatti is "heartbroken" and "devastated" by the accident. "We're just trying to help him get through this,'' Weisz said. The newspaper also reported that Garrett Reid, son of the man killed in the crash, was released from the hospital Sunday after undergoing surgery - his wrist was crushed in four places, he sustained a skull fracture and a broken toe. It also said Bellatti, in addition to facial lacerations, had injuries to his extremities. The Rays issued the following statement Sunday from team spokesman Rick Vaughn: "Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the families affected by this terrible tragedy. We will have ..."
Rays, B.J. Upton could both emerge as losers in arbitration hearing
Comment
January 25
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Going to an arbitration hearing with CF B.J. Upton isn't good for either side. Both insisted they tried hard to work out a deal before the Rays' self-imposed Tuesday deadline, but it became obvious they wouldn't. It only looked worse a few hours later when the filings revealed how close they were — merely the $300,000 difference between the $3 million the Rays offered and the $3.3 million agent Larry Reynolds requested. (Only three of the 43 filings had smaller gaps.) So sometime next month, in a St. Petersburg hotel, there will be a hearing and all the messiness that can occur as each side defends its case with the potential of offending the other. By getting to this point, Upton risks ..."
Acquiring a free agent still an option for Rays
Comment
January 24
Tampa Tribune
 
"It 'is still more than two months away, yet the Rays have a pretty good idea of how their Opening Day roster will look. You can write the names of the 25 players you think will be introduced before the April 6 season opener against the Orioles and be reasonably sure you will be 25-for-25. Or, at least 24-for-25. The one wild card is in the bullpen, where the Rays are still looking for another arm. "We like our team right now," Rays vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. "But if we can do things that we feel will make us an even better team, we'll work hard to do that." Which means rumors of the Rays having interest in a free agent will pop up from now through the first ..."
Tampa Bay Rays, B.J. Upton could both emerge as losers in arbitration hearing
Comment
January 24
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Going to an arbitration hearing with CF B.J. Upton isn't good for either side. Both insisted they tried hard to work out a deal before the Rays' self-imposed Tuesday deadline, but it became obvious they wouldn't. It only looked worse a few hours later when the filings revealed how close they were - merely the $300,000 difference between the $3 million the Rays offered and the $3.3 million agent Larry Reynolds requested. (Only three of the 43 filings had smaller gaps.) So sometime next month, in a St. Petersburg hotel, there will be a hearing and all the messiness that can occur as each side defends its case with the potential of offending the other. By getting to this point, Upton risks ..."
Czech teen Havlicek proof of Rays' worldwide operations
Comment
January 21
Tampa Tribune
 
"He throws left-handed. He has good movement on his fastball and depth on his curveball. He is 16, 6-foot-1, 160 pounds. In two years, he should be 6-3 and at least 190 pounds. That fastball should be in the low 90s. There is a lot to like about Stepan Havlicek. So what if he is from the Czech Republic? John Gilmore, who scouts Europe and Australia for the Rays, sees in Havlicek a young pitcher who in a few years could be on par with high school seniors selected in the first two rounds of the baseball draft. "At 16 he has a lot of upside," Gilmore said Wednesday afternoon, a few hours after the Rays announced they signed Havlicek to a minor-league contract last week. "He's got all the ..."
Rays settle with three players, head to arbitration with Upton
Comment
January 20
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays' deadline to settle their arbitration cases by Tuesday's midday exchange of salary figures worked for the most part, as they scrambled to strike one-year deals with Jason Bartlett, Matt Garza and J.P. Howell. But the failure to agree with centerfielder B.J. Upton left them headed to a potentially contentious hearing over a relatively small difference — $300,000 — and the airing of some interesting charges. First, Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman shared his "nickel theory" that the players union "put a lot more pressure" on agents to be tougher this year in dealing with teams such as the Rays with the policy of ending talks and going to a hearing once the numbers are ..."
Upton can't reach deal
Comment
January 20
Tampa Tribune
 
"For the fourth time in as many years, the Rays are headed to salary arbitration, this time with B.J. Upton. The center fielder and the Rays failed to reach a deal before Tuesday's 1 p.m. deadline for exchanging contract figures between players and clubs. The Rays have a hard policy of ending negotiations once that deadline passes. The two sides were close, with Upton asking for $3.3 million and the Rays willing to go only as high as $3 million. Upton made $435,000 last year. "We're obviously disappointed we weren't able to come to an agreement with B.J.," Rays vice president of baseball Andrew Friedman said. "I'm a believer in this process that when you go to a hearing, both sides lose. ..."
Rays re-sign three, head to arbitration with Upton
Comment
January 20
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Rays reached deals with three of their four arbitration-eligible players Tuesday but will head to a hearing with centerfielder B.J. Upton. Shortstop Jason Bartlett agreed to a one-year, $4 million contract. Starting pitcher Matt Garza agreed to a one-year, $3.35 deal. Relief pitcher J.P. Howell agreed to a one-year, $1.8 million contract that includes options. Upton, who made $435,000 last season, is the third player to take the Rays to arbitration in the past four years, joining former catcher Josh Paul, who did it twice, and catcher Dioner Navarro in 2009. The Rays won all three hearings, and Navarro settled for a $2.1 million contract last season. "I feel good," Howell said. "I'm ..."
Rays sign Bartlett to one-year deal
Comment
January 19
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Rays avoided arbitration with Jason Bartlett by signing the shortstop to a reported one-year, $4 million deal Tuesday. Rays vice president of baseball Andrew Friedman was still talking with representatives for the remaining arbitration eligible Rays – pitchers J.P. Howell and Matt Garza and center fielder B.J. Upton. Bartlett more than doubled his 2009 salary of $1.98 million after setting career highs for home runs (14), RBIs (68), batting average (.320), slugging percentage (.490) and on-base percentage (.389)."
Rays ready to win now but forced to always build for future
Comment
January 19
Tampa Tribune
 
"In just a few weeks, the Tampa Bay Rays will be heading to Port Charlotte for the start of spring training and whatever lies ahead. Most people believe they'll be in the hunt for a playoff spot, even in the high-rent district of the American League East. Certainly, no one with the Rays is conceding anything to the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox. If anything, it's just the opposite. With the possibility of an extreme roster makeover for 2011 increasing every day, this becomes something of an "all in" season for the Rays - to borrow poker parlance. These Rays are built to win now, especially when one considers that it could be the final season in a Tampa Bay uniform for Carl Crawford and ..."
Rays still talking with four remaining arbitration-eligible players
Comment
January 19
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays' efforts to avoid hearings with their four remaining arbitration-eligible players will come down to a busy morning. No deals were close as of late Monday, leaving only until noon today to reach agreements with shortstop Jason Bartlett, starter Matt Garza, reliever J.P. Howell and centerfielder B.J. Upton. That's when the sides have to submit their requested salaries, and that's the Rays' deadline to cut off talks and proceed to a February hearing. "We have had a number of back-and-forth conversations, and I expect that will continue until the deadline," executive VP Andrew Friedman said. "We remain cautiously optimistic that we'll resolve these (today)." In the four previous ..."
Carlos Peña doing anything he can to help neighbors in Haiti
Comment
January 19
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Even for a man who has dedicated his life to it, some things matter more than baseball. Even for a man who likes seeing a baseball disappear into the distance, some things go deeper than a home run. It is only now, in the aftermath of disaster, that we find out about the true power of Carlos Peña. Peña, the first baseman of the Tampa Bay Rays, already has donated money and supplies toward the relief efforts to aid the earthquake victims of Haiti, the country that borders his native Dominican Republic on the island of Hispaniola. Now he wants to do more. He wants to visit. He wants to help raise money. He wants to make things better. After all, it could have been his country that was ..."
Haitian relief effort hits home for Rays' Pena
Comment
January 19
Tampa Tribune
 
"Carlos Pena just finished a workout at a gym in his hometown of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on the afternoon of Jan. 12. He was waiting for his mother-in-law to finish her workout. He ordered a protein shake and talked with a friend. They were four floors above the street, which made it a bit unnerving when the windows began to shake. And the weights began to rattle. Is the building moving? Pena wondered what caused the eerie sensation. Foot traffic was his first thought. "You don't know what's happening for the first 10 seconds," Pena said. "Then you realize it's not people walking by. It's the earth shaking." Santo Domingo is located about 80 miles east of the epicenter of the ..."
Thome Looks like Longshot
Comment
January 18
MLB.com
 
"According to a report by MLB.com's Scott Merkin, the Rays have talked to free agent Jim Thome. While the report is surely accurate -- the Rays talk to a lot of players to try and line up all different kinds of possibilities and scenarios -- I do not believe this one will come to fruition unless the Rays find a taker for Pat Burrell. In addition to the fact the Rays will pay Burrell $9 million in 2010, acquiring Thome would give the team added payroll and two designated hitters. Having a slugger from the right side and the left side would be a nice luxury if it were not so costly and hard to do because of the additional roster spot needed. Thome and Burrell no longer ply the leather, so ..."
Job market for Thome remains in flux
Comment
January 18
MLB.com
 
"Jim Thome has celebrated quite a few memorable "firsts" during the course of his illustrious 19-year-career. There was the first of his 2,138 hits, the first home run en route to his mammoth total of 564, the first of his 1,565 RBIs and the first walk drawn among his 1,619. And for a man whose goals are first and foremost team-directed, there was the first of his eight seasons to reach the playoffs with Cleveland in 1995. Currently, though, Thome is going through a first he would have gladly missed out on during his run to Major League Baseball's Hall of Fame. The prolific slugger stands as a man without a job as Spring Training fast approaches. "It's a new experience for me, but you have ..."
Weiner Whacks Marlins; Pirates next?
Comment
January 18
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"One down, three or four to go. Michaell Weiner, in his first venture as head of the players union, successfully wrestled the Florida Marlins to baseball's financial mat and is prepared to take on similarly recalcitrant revenue-sharing rogues. No other Florida-like agreements have been reached and none apparently will be sought until after April 1, the deadline for revenue-sharing recipients to report on their use of the 2009 money. But the Pirates, the Rays, the Padres and the Royals remain in the union's sights, according to union and management representatives. Weiner, who succeeded Donald Fehr last month as the union's executive director, declined to discuss the matter Saturday, ..."
Tampa Bay Rays again hoping to avoid arbitration hearings with final four eligible players
Comment
January 17
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays are drawing their usual line on the calendar to deal with their remaining arbitration cases. Having whittled the dozen eligible players down to a final four of SS Jason Bartlett, RHP Matt Garza, LHP J.P. Howell and CF B.J. Upton, the Rays will stick with their policy of cutting off negotiations as soon as figures between the parties are exchanged, which happens at noon Tuesday. Most other teams continue negotiating up until the February hearings. The Rays do it their way for two reasons: to try to spur a settlement, since most don't happen until a deadline looms, and to avoid settling at an artificial midpoint between the submitted figures, which can be millions apart. (If it ..."
Rays are in no hurry to promote Beckham
Comment
January 17
Tampa Tribune
 
"Tim Beckham was in town last week as one of 22 prospects invited to Tropicana Field for the Rays' first Winter Development Program. The first overall pick in 2008 was not the best prospect in that pool. Not even the second-best. He was simply one of the best. That's a departure from the way things used to work around the organization when Rays fans eagerly awaited the arrival of the first pick in any draft to help save the big-league club. Remember the B.J. Upton Watch? The Delmon Young Watch? Heck, there was even a Dewon Brazelton Watch. No one is watching and waiting for the day Beckham arrives at Tropicana Field. A lot of that has to do with Jason Bartlett, the Rays' All-Star shortstop. ..."
Rays prospect just about ready for large leap
Comment
January 16
Tampa Tribune
 
"For a few days this week, four actually, Jeremy Hellickson had a locker in a big-league clubhouse, and he thought that was pretty neat. And that major-league jersey with his name on the back? Very neat. "Especially with a low number," Hellickson said. "Not 85 or 90." Those high numbers are usually reserved for wide receivers, defensive ends and baseball prospects destined for more minor-league seasoning. The Tampa Bay Rays batting practice jersey tailored for Hellickson for the Winter Development Program included his last name and the No. 18, which is the number he wore last season when he made the jump from Double-A to Triple-A and established himself as one of the game's top ..."
Tampa Bay Rays seeking infield, bullpen depth
Comment
January 13
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Spring training opens in five weeks, and while the Rays are satisfied with the squad they've assembled, they're considering further additions. Manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday they are still looking for depth and more options at second base and in the bullpen. "Primarily at those two spots," he said. "You may still find somebody you really want to bring in to compete in some way." The Rays haven't decided if Ben Zobrist will play second, rightfield or both. If he ends up in right all or part of the time, they have only inexperienced options at second: newcomer Sean Rodriguez, converted shortstop Reid Brignac and long-time minor-leaguer Elliot Johnson. Though closer Rafael Soriano was ..."
Rays bring back '08 hero
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January 12
Tampa Tribune
 
"Dan Johnson, the author of one of the biggest home runs in team history, rejoined the Rays on Monday after signing a one-year, $500,000 major league-deal. The left-handed power hitter appeared in 10 games for the Rays in 2008. His pinch-hit, solo home run Sept. 9 off Jonathon Papelbon in the ninth inning at Fenway Park started the winning rally in the Rays' 5-4 win that increased their lead over the second-place Red Sox to 11/2 games. "Obviously, the highlight of my career," said Johnson, who was 5-for-25 with a pair of home runs and four RBIs that September. The Rays released Johnson after the 2008 season and he spent 2009 in Japan's Central League playing for the Yokohama BayStars, where ..."
Prospects will get brief glimpse into 'Ray Way'
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January 10
Tampa Tribune
 
"To further indoctrinate their top prospects in the "Ray Way," the Rays will hold their first Winter Development Program from Monday through Thursday at Tropicana Field. The selected prospects - 22 in all - will participate in baseball activities, receive media training and meet with director of team travel Jeff Ziegler, as well as members of the team's employee assistance staff. The prospects will also visit Kids Café at the Pinellas Park Boys and Girls Club on Wednesday at 3 p.m., and attend a Lightning game. The idea is to bring the players together for a little bonding and an opportunity to familiarize themselves with Rays manager Joe Maddon and his coaches. They also will get to see ..."
Dawson elected to Hall of Fame; McGriff falls well short
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January 7
Tampa Tribune
 
"Andre Dawson has been elected to the Hall of Fame, while Bert Blyleven and Roberto Alomar fell just short of earning baseball's highest honor and Tampa native Fred McGriff was well off the pace in his first year of eligibility. Dawson received 420 of 539 votes in voting announced Wednesday by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, 15 more than the 75 percent necessary to gain election. The eight-time All-Star, appearing on the ballot for the ninth time, had fallen 44 votes short last year. Blyleven had 400 votes, up from 338 last year, and will likely get in because he has two more tries on the BBWAA ballot. Blyleven received 74.2 percent of the vote, falling just five votes short ..."
Fred McGriff on Hall vote: "It's going to be interesting"
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January 6
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Tampa's Fred McGriff doesn't really know what to expect when results of the Hall of Fame balloting are announced Wednesday afternoon. The former Ray is on the ballot for the first time, and has candidacy has been a popular topic of discussion among Hall voters given his credentials (493 homers) and reputation for playing clean. "It's going to be interesting,'' McGriff said Tuesday afternoon. "A lot of people have been asking me, "What do you think, are you going to get in?" (Wednesday) it will come to a head.' '' A player needs 75 percent of the vote of be elected, and at least 5 percent to stay on the ballot, which he can for up to 15 years. Bert Blyleven, Andre Dawson and Jack Morris ..."
Rays sign catcher Shoppach to 2-year deal
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January 6
Tampa Tribune
 
"Kelly Shoppach had a good reason for exchanging his final two years of arbitration eligibility for a two-year contract that will pay him more than $5 million. Actually, the Rays new catcher offered three reasons: Alexandria, Addison and Aubrey. Those are his daughters, and Shoppach said the contract he signed with the Rays on Tuesday's offers an awfully lot in the way of peace of mind. "That's my No. 1 goal as a dad and a husband," the 29-year-old Shoppach said during a conference call. "That is all of our goals, to take care of our families. If you get an opportunity to do that, you take advantage of that opportunity. "I understand the other side of (keeping the arbitration-eligible ..."