Rays News

Tampa Bay, Texas and Toronto look like destinations for Milton Bradley
Comment
November 19
ESPN.com
 columnist Jayson Stark
"Tampa Bay, Texas and Toronto look like the three most feasible destinations for Milton Bradley these days. But the Cubs are telling teams that (A) they're not interested in digesting all or most of Bradley's money (two years, $21 million) just for the sake of moving him, and (B) the hiring of his old hitting coach, Rudy Jaramillo, means they no longer think they have to trade him. So they seem to be zeroing in on clubs that might be willing to swap one messy contract for another. Pat Burrell would be that guy in Tampa Bay, but the money doesn't match up and the Cubs would have to find a third team interested in Burrell. Lyle Overbay seems to fit that mold in Toronto, but the Cubs would ..."
Report of Carl Crawford wanting out of Tampa Bay is false
Comment
November 15
St. Petersburg Times
 
"With trade rumors already circulating about All-Star leftfielder Carl Crawford, now there's an apparently false, unattributed report from the NY Baseball Digest that suggests Crawford wants out of Tampa Bay. The NY Baseball Digest report, citing an unnamed source, stated that Crawford is upset with the Rays over picking up his 2010 option and allegedly backing out of an agreement to negotiate his potential long-term deal. The report just doesn't seem to have any merit, as it doesn't match up with what both sides have been saying all along (and as recently as this week). Crawford's agent, Brian Peters, said earlier this week that they were still looking forward to working on a ..."
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jeff Niemann says being considered for rookie of the year is plenty
Comment
November 15
St. Petersburg Times
 
"RHP Jeff Niemann said the offseason has given him a chance to finally reflect and soak in what a roller-coaster rookie year he had. Niemann, 26, had to nervously wait until the final day of spring training to find out whether he'd made the team as the fifth starter or would be traded by the only franchise he had ever known. When finally given the chance, all the 6-foot-9 Texan did was come out of nowhere to become a candidate for American League rookie of the year, an award that will be announced Monday. "It's crazy how full circle things have come," Niemann said from his hometown of Houston. "The humble beginnings and what really happened, where we are now. It's a great story for me to ..."
Bradley-for-Burell being discussed, but money's an issue
Comment
November 12
Foxsports.com
 
"The Cubs and Rays continue to discuss a Milton Bradley-for-Pat Burrell trade, but money remains a major obstacle. Burrell will earn $9 million next season, while Bradley is owed $21 million over the next two years. The Rays want the Cubs to pay the vast majority of the difference. The teams are a mere $2 million to $3 million apart over the two years, one source said. The source described the negotiations as "worse than Chinese water torture." Another said, "I wish cattle prods were legal.""
Schmidt, Zaun join open market
Comment
November 12
MLB.com
 
"Right-hander Jason Schmidt and catcher Gregg Zaun were the only players to file for free agency on Wednesday, the seventh day of the 15-day filing period. Eligible free agents have until midnight on Nov. 19 to file their paperwork to the Major League Baseball Players' Association, and to date, 156 have done so. Clearly, Zaun and Schmidt aren't names that open eyes on that long list. But could they bring some value to clubs in the upcoming season? In Schmidt's case, probably not. The 36-year-old right-hander enjoyed a fair share of success with the Giants, but shoulder problems have tarnished his future the last three seasons, and he is expected to retire. If he does retire, Schmidt will ..."
Crawford unlikely to agree to a long-term contract with the Tampa Bay Rays
Comment
November 12
St. Petersburg Times
 columnist John Romano
"The early reports certainly sound promising. The Rays would like to talk to Carl Crawford about another long-term contract, and Crawford seems willing to listen to what the team has to say. So it would seem the franchise's all-time leader in most every significant offensive category has a chance to become one of those iconic players who comes up through the farm system and spends the better part of a career in one uniform. It all sounds grand except for one tiny detail. It will probably never happen. It isn't that I doubt the sincerity of either side in wanting to get a deal done. It's just that circumstances will likely get in the way. Some of it is practical. Crawford already signed away ..."
Rangers and Cubs still talking about malcontent Milton
Comment
November 11
SI.com
 
"The Rangers are the one team obviously pursuing Milton Bradley and they've been engaged in a negotiation with the Cubs regarding how much money would have to be sent to Texas to cover the $21 million remaining on malcontent Milton's contract. The cash-strapped Rangers, whose debt-ridden owner Tom Hicks is being forced to sell the team, could be willing to cover as much as $5 million over the two years left on Bradley's deal (they offered $8 million over one year for him to return last winter). But so far, the Cubs are holding out for more, perhaps shooting to recover as much as half the money left. If the Cubs are to recover that much money, they shouldn't expect to get it from the ..."
Rays' Longoria wins Gold Glove at third base
Comment
November 11
Tampa Tribune
 
"Evan Longoria became the Tampa Bay Rays' second consecutive corner infielder to win a Gold Glove when he was announced as the American League selection at third base on Tuesday. Carlos Pena won the AL Gold Glove at first base in 2008. He was the first Rays player in team history to earn the award. Longoria, who turned 24 after the season ended, is the youngest to win an AL Gold Glove at any position since Oakland Athletics third baseman Eric Chavez (age 23) in 2001. Since the Gold Glove was first awarded in 1957, only three third basemen have won it at a younger age: Brooks Robinson (age 23 in 1960) of the Baltimore Orioles, Scott Rolen (age 23 in 1998) of the Philadelphia Phillies and ..."
Evan Longoria wins first Gold Glove Award
Comment
November 11
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Rays manager Joe Maddon challenged his team in spring training, saying it had plenty of players who were capable of earning a Gold Glove, and offering a lofty goal of winning nine. The Rays didn't complete that feat, but they did have a Gold Glove Award winner for the second straight year as Evan Longoria won the award Tuesday as the American League's best-fielding third baseman. Longoria, 24, is the youngest to win an AL Gold Glove at any position since A's third baseman Eric Chavez (age 23) in 2001 and the second player in club history to earn the award (first baseman Carlos Peña won in 2008). "It's the one award that I've wanted to win since I started pro ball," Longoria said in a ..."
Jeter and Teixeira Receive Gold Glove Awards
Comment
November 11
New York Times
 
"Derek Jeter, whose defense has been criticized in recent years through statistical analyses, won a Gold Glove award for his defense, joining Yankees teammate Mark Teixeira on the list of American League recipients released Tuesday. No other team had multiple winners. At 35, Jeter became the second-oldest shortstop to win the award; Luis Aparicio won it at 36 in 1970. Jeter has won four Gold Gloves, collecting the others from 2004 to 2006. "I've always taken a great deal of pride in my defense, and being honored with a Gold Glove is an accomplishment I will never overlook," Jeter said in a statement."
Ichiro, Hunter win ninth Gold Gloves
Comment
November 10
MLB.com
 
"The American League Gold Glove winners, unveiled on Tuesday, showcase the cream of the league's defensive excellence, the ooh-and-aah squad. The dive-and-spin, dirty-uniform parade began with Mark Teixeira, who earned his third Gold Glove -- but first since 2006 -- for an often-overlooked aspect of his game that was every bit as vital to the Yankees' drive to a World Series title as his 39 home runs and 122 RBIs. Teixeira made only four errors in 1,275 chances, to say nothing of the errors by other infielders he prevented with his wide-ranging scoops of errant throws. The Tigers' Placido Polanco earned the award at second base after it had been "borrowed" last year by Boston's Dustin ..."
Cubs trying hard to trade Bradley
Comment
November 10
SI.com
 
"The Cubs are trying hard to dump the perennially malcontented Milton Bradley here at the GM meetings, as it isn't just manager Lou Piniella who didn't connect with him in his season here. Apparently, several key members of the team -- including Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Zambrano -- barely speak to Bradley. "I don't think they dislike him. But Milton's a unique guy who doesn't fit in, like the oddball kid in class,'' one Cubs-connected person said. "He doesn't try to fit in. The other guys tried to take him in, but he's one of those kids that simply doesn't want to be part of anything,'' one Cubs person said. The Chicago Tribune reported that a Bradley blowup with now-deposed hitting coach ..."
Bradley's big contract a barrier
Comment
November 10
Foxsports.com
 
"The Rays remain interested in Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley, but his contract might be too big an impediment to a trade. Bradley, 30, not only is guaranteed $21 million over the next two seasons, but also can earn an additional $1 million each year by making 575 plate appearances. Granted, Bradley has reached that total only once in his injury-marred career — in 2004 with the Dodgers. But the Rays, by using Bradley as their designated hitter, would anticipate that he would stay healthier and play more often. His contract includes a $200,000 bonus for 525 plate appearances, $300,000 for 550 plate appearances and $500,00 for 575 plate appearances. One way to bridge the financial gap would ..."
Rays pick up 2010 option on Crawford
Comment
November 10
Tampa Tribune
 
"To the surprise of no one, the Rays on Monday exercised their $10 million option on All-Star left fielder Carl Crawford's contract for 2010. Now comes the hard part. Can the club lock up its most tenured and decorated player before he begins a season after which he could become a highly sought free agent? "Carl's a big part of what we have accomplished and what we will accomplish," Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said Monday. "Obviously, the question everyone wants to know is, what does the future mean? I don't think anyone can answer that. "Both sides are very interested, which is a great starting point. ... It's safe to assume that at some point, we will have conversations ..."
Rays catcher Dioner Navarro has elbow surgery
Comment
November 10
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Rays catcher Dioner Navarro had left elbow surgery in late October to stabilize an ulnar nerve but is expected to be ready for spring training, the team said Monday. Navarro, 25, is coming off a disappointing season in which he hit .218 with eight homers and 32 RBIs, with the switch-hitter especially struggling against right-handed pitchers (.182). Navarro, an All-Star in 2008, could get a raise from his $2.1 million salary this winter in his second year of arbitration. Neither Navarro nor his agent was available for comment. The Rays also said outfielder Fernando Perez had left shoulder surgery early last month to repair his labrum, a similar procedure to the one B.J. Upton had last ..."
Rays exercise Carl Crawford's $10 million option
Comment
November 10
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays' decision Monday to lock up All-Star leftfielder Carl Crawford for 2010 by picking up his $10 million option was an easy one. Crawford, 28, the Rays' all-time leader in hits, games, RBIs and steals, is coming off arguably the best of his eight seasons. The tough part will be whether Tampa Bay can sign him to a long-term deal - which he has said he's open to - or face the possibility that a face of the franchise could be a free agent in 2011 (unless the Rays trade him before). Executive vice president Andrew Friedman said both Crawford and the Rays are "very interested" in discussing a long-term deal that would "keep Carl in a Rays uniform for as long as possible," but he ..."
Rays search for silver lining as New York Yankees parade another World Series trophy
Comment
November 6
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Today's Yankees championship parade runs almost a mile through the Canyon of Heroes, from Battery Park to City Hall. But how long will it really last? For all the reasons having the Yankees on top again is good for baseball, excuse the Rays and other teams that now have to try to dethrone them for not necessarily seeing it that way. "Order," Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg observed Thursday, "has been restored to the baseball universe." When the Yankees missed the playoffs last season - a direct result of the Rays making it - they reacted the way only the Yankees can, with a free-agent frenzy costing them more than $420 million that restructured the team for this season and years to ..."
Bay Rays keep Akinori Iwamura's interpreter as a scout
Comment
November 6
St. Petersburg Times
 
"With infielder Akinori Iwamura traded to the Pirates, Tateki Uchibori wasn't going to have anybody to talk for. But the Rays decided to keep Uchibori, Iwamura's interpreter the past two years, and gave him a job as a scout in his native Japan, Korea and Taiwan. The Rays announced several other assignments Thursday as they added three minor-league coordinators for a system that now includes nine teams and nearly 300 players. "We feel these additions will ensure that every player receives the attention he deserves," farm director Mitch Lukevics said."
Rays search for silver lining as New York Yankees parade
Comment
November 6
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Today's Yankees championship parade runs almost a mile through the Canyon of Heroes, from Battery Park to City Hall. But how long will it really last? For all the reasons having the Yankees on top again is good for baseball, excuse the Rays and other teams that now have to try to dethrone them for not necessarily seeing it that way. "Order," Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg observed Thursday, "has been restored to the baseball universe." When the Yankees missed the playoffs last season - a direct result of the Rays making it - they reacted the way only the Yankees can, with a free-agent frenzy costing them more than $420 million that restructured the team for this season and years ..."
Evers changes position
Comment
November 6
Tampa Tribune
 
"Veteran baseball man Bill Evers is moving back to the field as co-minor-league field coordinator with Jim Hoff in one of several minor-league staff moves the Rays announced Thursday. Evers has spent 14 years in the Rays organization, including eight (1998-2005) as the manager at Triple-A Durham and two (2006-07) as the major-league bench coach. He was a professional scout in 2008-09. Former Astros pitching coach Dewey Robinson has been hired to join Dick Bosman as minor-league pitching coordinator, and Matt Quatraro, who managed at Single-A Bowling Green and Columbus the past two years, will join Steve Livesey as hitting coordinator. Matt Arnold was promoted to the new position of director ..."
Yankees victory reverberates through Bay area
Comment
November 6
Tampa Tribune
 
"When the New York Yankees won the World Series by defeating the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday night in New York, the victory had a special meaning in Tampa. Tampa is the home of the team's legendary owner George Steinbrenner and the place where the Yankees' run to the Series began in the spring. Outside the Yankees spring training complex on North Dale Mabry, workers updated the signs, proclaiming the Yankees as winners of 27 world championships. They also added the year 2009 to the list of championship teams, the firstin nine years. Bronx native Tom Miano owns the company hired by the Yankees to redo the signs. "This is a dream come true," he said. "It doesn't get any better than this.""
Pirates' acquisition of Iwamura aimed at present
Comment
November 6
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"In Neal Huntington's first major transaction prioritizing the present above the future, the Pirates' general manager last night acquired veteran infielder Akinori Iwamura from the Tampa Bay Rays for rookie reliever Jesse Chavez. Yes, a veteran for a rookie. A player making close to $5 million for one making less than a tenth of that. A pending free agent for someone whose rights can be controlled five more years. Not exactly the blueprint this management team had been following. "Our goal for 2010 is to be a better team," Huntington said. "We've made a lot out of having years of control, and our hope is that this is more than a one-year fit for us and for Akinori. But our expectation in ..."
Pirates' acquisition of Iwamura aimed at present
Comment
November 5
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"In Neal Huntington's first major transaction prioritizing the present above the future, the Pirates' general manager last night acquired veteran infielder Akinori Iwamura from the Tampa Bay Rays for rookie reliever Jesse Chavez. Yes, a veteran for a rookie. A player making close to $5 million for one making less than a tenth of that. A pending free agent for someone whose rights can be controlled five more years. Not exactly the blueprint this management team had been following. "Our goal for 2010 is to be a better team," Huntington said. "We've made a lot out of having years of control, and our hope is that this is more than a one-year fit for us and for Akinori. But our expectation in ..."
Rays' chemistry takes another hit with Aki trade
Comment
November 4
Tampa Tribune
 
"I thought one of the key moments that led to the Tampa Bay Rays' demise came in late May, when Akinori Iwamura hurt his knee in a game at the Marlins. Although he came back late in the season, I thought a fair degree of toughness went out of the lineup that day, and it was noticeable. That same toughness was sent to Pittsburgh on Tuesday in a trade for a 26-year-old rookie reliever with what executive vice president Andrew Friedman has "real upside." That is baseball speak for "we don't have any idea if he can really help, but it's better than nothing." That's what the Rays would have gotten for Iwamura if the trade hadn't been made because they had long ago decided not to exercise the ..."
Rays send Aki to Pirates
Comment
November 4
Tampa Tribune
 
"Whenever discussing the Rays' worst-to-first transformation in 2008, executive vice president Andrew Friedman mentions Akinori Iwamura's selflessness in moving from third base to second. "Essentially, his comment was, 'whatever it takes to help the team win,'" Friedman recalled Tuesday night. "And I think all of his teammates saw that and really appreciated that, as did the organization." "Aki" did help the Rays win - he was the lead-off batter and second baseman for the 2008 American League champions - but his time in Tampa Bay is done. The Rays traded the popular native of Japan to the Pirates for Jesse Chavez, a right-handed reliever who was 1-4 with a 4.01 ERA last year as a rookie. ..."
Pirates acquire Iwamura from Tampa Bay
Comment
November 4
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Pirates tonight made the first move of what might be a busy offseason, acquiring veteran infielder Akinori Iwamura from the Tampa Bay Rays for reliever Jesse Chavez. Agreement on the trade was reached in the afternoon, but the teams waited until the evening to announce it because of the need to notify Iwamura in his native Japan. Iwamura, who will turn 31 in February, has a .281 career average since coming to North America in 2007, but he is coming off a season in which he played only 69 games because of surgery on his left knee. He returned in late August -- much earlier than expectations -- and finished with a .290 average, one home run, 16 doubles, two triples and nine steals in 10 ..."
Rays to trade Iwamura to Pirates
Comment
November 3
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The team the Rays are dealing Iwamura to is the Pirates. Still working on what they are going to get back, but the Pirates do have some young arms and some young catching. Will be interesting to see if the Rays are paying any money to upgrade the quality of the return - that's what they did in the Aubrey Huff deal, and that Ben Zobrist guy turned out okay. Expect an official announcement tonight, when it will be Wednesday morning in Japan and the Rays can talk to Aki."
Rays working on Iwamura deal
Comment
November 3
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Just got back to New York and heard from an industry source who's not with the Rays that they are on the verge of completing a trade of 2B Akinori Iwamura. The Rays were looking to do some kind of deal since they weren't planning to pick up the $4.85-million option to bring him back. What's interesting is that the source indicated the deal wasn't with the Cubs or the Dodgers as has been speculated on but to an unexpected team. Hmmm. The Rays are operating under something of a deadline since they have until one day after the end of the World Series to either pick up the option or pay a $550,000 buyout and allow Iwamura to become a free agent. They have been working on essentially a ..."
Tampa Bay Rays have method to prevent Johnny Damon's double steal for New York Yankees in World Series
Comment
November 3
St. Petersburg Times
 
"There was something the Phillies could have done to prevent Johnny Damon's stunning one-man double steal Sunday. Actually, there were several things. The Rays frequently run the same defensive shift against left-handed pull hitters the Phillies got in trouble with. But they haven't had a runner take advantage of them the way Damon did, stealing second then breaking for third when he saw the base was uncovered. Infield coach Tom Foley said by phone Monday they employ two strategies to prevent it: SS Jason Bartlett is told that if 3B Evan Longoria takes the throw at second to immediately break toward third; and C Dioner Navarro reminds the pitcher to cover the open base. "We think they know, ..."
Rangers might hire hitting coach today
Comment
November 3
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"Four finalists to be the Texas Rangers' hitting coach were interviewed Monday in Arlington, and chances are good that one will be hired this afternoon to replace Rudy Jaramillo. General manager Jon Daniels led a group of five who conducted interviews with Rusty Greer, Clint Hurdle, Thad Bosley and Gerald Perry. All but Greer has been a big-league hitting coach during his career. But his lack of experience as an instructor at baseball's top level doesn't appear to be working against him. General manager Jon Daniels said all four candidates are a fit for the job, and a tough decision awaits Rangers brass. "Across the board, each of the guys is very qualified for the job," Daniels said. "From ..."
Gabe Kapler fits several needs for Tampa Bay Rays
Comment
November 1
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays moved quickly to re-sign OF Gabe Kapler because they could. The Rays liked how he hit (against left-handers), how he played defense, how he ran, how he prepared, how he hustled, how he set a good example for the young players. "We liked everything about him," manager Joe Maddon said from California. "We liked having him on our team." Kapler liked being there, so he was willing to bypass the free-agent market for the chance to stay and is already excited - "Really excited," he said - about getting back to work. The Rays also like having depth, options and versatility, and they feel Kapler gives them all of that, and at a decent price ($1,050,000). And clearly more so than ..."
Panel of experts again votes Tampa Bay Rays' Carl Crawford as baseball's best defensive leftfielder
Comment
October 31
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Rays star Carl Crawford hasn't won a Gold Glove yet, but he's in the book again as the game's top leftfielder. Crawford was voted best by the Fielding Bible's 10-man panel and was the first choice of nine, and second of the 10th, finishing with the highest vote total in the four-year history of the award. It is the third time Crawford has won. "This was no contest," author John Dewan wrote. "If Crawford doesn't win his first Gold Glove this year, I'm going to throw up." Other Fielding Bible winners: first base Albert Pujols, second base Aaron Hill, shortstop Jack Wilson, third base Ryan Zimmerman, centerfield Franklin Gutierrez, rightfield Ichiro Suzuki, catcher Yadier Molina, pitcher Mark ..."
Rollins belittles Burrell
Comment
October 30
New York Post
 
"Jimmy Rollins still loves a microphone, even if it means airing a little of the Phillies' dirty laundry in the process. The opinionated Phillies shortstop, who already put a target on his back by predicting a five-game win over the Yankees coming into this World Series, made it clear before the Yankees' 3-1 victory last night in Game 2 at the Stadium that all was not well with Philadelphia during last year's run to the title. Rollins didn't mention the player by name, but it was obvious from his dig that he and his teammates are a lot happier with Raul Ibanez in left field rather than the since-departed Pat Burrell. Asked how much of an impact Ibanez has had on the Phillies' bid to repeat ..."
Rays hike ticket prices for Yanks, Red Sox games
Comment
October 30
Tampa Tribune
 
"It will cost more to attend the Rays' most attractive games next season at Tropicana Field. But in announcing their 2009 ticket pricing Thursday, the Rays emphasized that nearly 40 percent of the games will be at or below ticket prices for 2009, when the Rays where named by ESPN the Magazine "the most affordable team in professional sports. "Although some prices are increasing this year, and there are more nuances to the pricing schedule, we aim to maintain that title, or come in close to first," team president Matt Silverman said. The Rays will have five categories of games rather than last year's three: Diamond (nine games), Platinum (20), Gold (20), Silver (27) and Bronze (5). Diamond ..."
Tampa Bay Rays adviser Don Zimmer disputes Pedro Martinez's account of 2003 ALCS incident
Comment
October 29
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Rays senior adviser Don Zimmer said Pedro Martinez is the one who is wrong this time, disputing the version Martinez shared Wednesday of their 2003 ALCS Fenway Park throwdown. The Phillies' Game 2 starter said when Zimmer, then a Yankees coach, charged at him, he expected a lecture. Instead, Martinez, saying this is the first time he has discussed what really happened, claimed the then 72-year-old "was trying to punch my mouth and told me a couple of bad words about my mom." Speaking from his Seminole home, Zimmer said that was definitely not the case. "Pedro is full of crap," Zimmer said, adding he was trying to take down Martinez, then a Red Sox star, by putting his head in his chest ..."
With Series upon us, one has to wonder if Rays can make it back
Comment
October 28
Tampa Tribune
 
"Today, the Orlando Tuskers of the fledgling United Football League will work out at Tropicana Field in preparation for Friday's game there against the Las Vegas Locomotives. In other news, the World Series begins tonight at Yankee Stadium. Has it really only been a year since the Rays shocked planet baseball and made the Series? It was like men on Mars. Just think, it was against mostly the same Phillies who'll face the Yankees in Game 1, give or take a Cliff Lee, Raul Ibanez, oh, and Pat Burrell Pat Burrell the Rays got - oh, did they got. All I'm reading now is how the Yankees are back after a whole year's absence from the postseason, though it has been six years since they last made the ..."
Tampa has lots of connections to this year's World Series
Comment
October 28
Tampa Tribune
 
"Sure, the Tampa Bay Rays missed out on the World Series this year, but with all local connections to the Yankees and Phillies, we at least can feel like we're in on the action. Can't we? With the series launching tonight , consider the ties that bind the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies to the Bay area. The biggest connections, of course, are in spring training: the Yankees train at Legends Field in Tampa, while the Phillies crack bats at Bright House Field in Clearwater. Both teams also operate minor league clubs in each city. Less obvious, though, are the significant number of ballplayers who make their homes in the Bay area, Alex Rodriguez's local business interests and - ..."
Rays re-sign outfielder Gabe Kapler
Comment
October 28
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays made the first move toward shaping their 2010 team, re-signing reserve outfielder Gabe Kapler to another one-year deal. Kapler, 34, hit .239 with eight homers and 32 RBIs overall in 99 games, but what the Rays want him for primarily is his production against left-handed pitchers - .276 with all his homers and 30 of his RBIs, plus a .379 on-base percentage (26 walks, 23 strikeouts) and .931 OPS. "I'm more than excited," Kapler said from California. "I love the people in the clubhouse, I love the organization. … I believe next year is going to be better no matter what, just the way things broke last year. 2010 I'm confident will be a much better year from the team perspective, and I ..."
Rays re-sign outfielder Gabe Kapler
Comment
October 27
St. Petersburg Times
 
""I'm more than excited,'' Kapler said from California. "I love the people in the clubhouse, I love the organization. ... I believe next year is going to be better no matter what, just the way things broke last year. 2010 I'm confident will be a much better year from the team perspective and I really have a great deal of confidence I'll be able to help the team achieve great things.'' Kapler, 34, hit. 239 with 8 homers and 32 RBIs overall in 99 games, but his production against lefthanded pitchers is what the Rays were most interested in - .276 with all 8 homers and 30 of his RBIs, plus a .379 on-base percentage (26 walks, 23 strikeouts) and .931 OPS."
Struggles as player help New York Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland excel as teacher
Comment
October 27
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Less than a month into his first season, the rookie big-league pitching coach had to call in one of his struggling starters to make it clear he'd have to change things to stay in the rotation. "You know my background," Dave Eiland, who won 12 games in the major leagues, began that April 2008 day to Mike Mussina, who'd won 251. "I wasn't even close to being the same type of pitcher you are. But you're not the pitcher you used to be, and you have to make adjustments." Eiland wanted him to throw inside more, tweak a few other things; Mussina wasn't interested. Well then, Eiland said, "if you're not going to do this, you're not going to pitch here anymore." Mussina made the changes, reversing ..."
Mets not interested in Lackey or Bradley; Holliday tops their list
Comment
October 26
SI.com
 (scroll down)
"The Mets don't seem inclined to pursue top free-agent pitcher John Lackey, who will surely shoot for a $100 million-plus contract in light of A.J. Burnett's $82.5 million deal. They do want to add a solid starting pitcher (they may try a do-over on Randy Wolf), but their big-ticket target is most likely going to be a left fielder. Matt Holliday is believed to top their list, though Jason Bay will certainly suffice. Bobby Abreu is another top free-agent outfielder, while Carl Crawford could be available in trade. The Mets have no interest in taking on Milton Bradley's problems."
Phillies say they're a better team without Tampa Bay Rays' Pat Burrell
Comment
October 25
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The first, second and third basemen are all the same, as is the shortstop. So are the catcher and the right- and centerfielders. It's only in leftfield the Phillies made a change from the team that won last year's World Series and the one that will try to do so again starting Wednesday. Pat Burrell is with the Rays now, replaced by Raul Ibanez. And the Phillies say they are better for it. "It's worked out for us," said shortstop Jimmy Rollins, the most veteran Phillie. "Definitely. It has definitely worked out for us." At the time, Phillies officials said it was a difficult decision to part ways with Burrell, who'd become something of the face of the franchise after 11 years. And a ..."
Former Cleveland Indians player praise new Tampa Bay Rays hitting coach Derek Shelton
Comment
October 25
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Rays officials had heard good things about Derek Shelton's work and were even more impressed when they spoke with him. Hiring new hitting coaches isn't an exact science, as gray of an area sometimes as evaluating old ones, but after considering five candidates, then a couple very seriously, they feel very good about their decision. Talking to a few of Shelton's former Indians players, it sounds as if they couldn't have done better. "I thought he was a great hitting coach," now-Dodgers 3B Casey Blake said. What Shelton does best, from what Blake and now-Phillies OF Ben Francisco said, is work hard, communicate and, most important, mold his coaching techniques to each player. "I feel ..."
Rays hire Wesley Chapel resident Derek Shelton as hitting coach
Comment
October 22
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Derek Shelton figures this is a good situation. Shelton was announced Wednesday as the Rays' hitting coach and already has plans to address one of their primary shortcomings: lack of success in situational hitting. "It's important, and it's something that's going to be stressed from Day 1 in spring training," Shelton said. "The big thing we're going to try to talk about and be consistent with is making sure our approach stays consistent.'' Among the concepts he'll stress: pitch selection, making more use of the middle of the field, and "team offense." Shelton, 39, spent the past five seasons as the Indians' hitting coach then was let go along with manager Eric Wedge and the rest of the ..."
Rays hire Derek Shelton as hitting coach
Comment
October 21
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday named Tampa resident Derek Shelton as Steve Henderson's replacement as hitting coach. Shelton, 39, spent the last five seasons as the Indians' hitting coach. In each of his first four seasons (2005-08), the Indians offense ranked eighth or higher in runs scored. In 2009 they finished 12th. He was fired along with manager Eric Wedge and the rest of the Cleveland coaching staff on Oct. 1. Henderson's contract was not renewed by the Rays. "I believe he is the kind of coach who can create a hitting program that will benefit the organization both at the minor league and major league levels," Rays manager Joe Maddon said in a press release. "In our conversations, ..."
Candid Zaun isn't worried about catching flak
Comment
October 19
Toronto Star
 columnist Chris Zelkovich
"Gregg Zaun says his goals are to return to the post-season and put in 20 years in the major leagues. But if the former Toronto Blue Jays catcher keeps calling it like he sees it on Rogers Sportsnet's baseball playoff broadcasts, you have to wonder if he can last another five seasons. On Thursday, for example, he had this to say about Philadelphia closer Brad Lidge: "The key to being a closer is to have a short memory. Unfortunately, I don't think Brad Lidge has a very short memory." On Friday, he criticized Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard for poor fundamentals while fielding a bunt. On Saturday, he noted that former battery-mate A.J. Burnett had crossed up Yankees catcher Jose Molina. ..."
Los Angeles Angels say Tampa Bay Rays got a good player for Scott Kazmir in Sean Rodriguez
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October 18
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Trading LHP Scott Kazmir to the Angels was about the money, in that it allows the Rays to keep the core of their team together for 2010 and helps going forward with Carlos Peña, Carl Crawford and Grant Balfour headed toward 2011 free agency. But the Rays were also excited about what they got back, primarily versatile INF-OF Sean Rodriguez, who could end up playing a lot at second base. And, Angels people say, they should be. "We're - we were - excited about him, too," Angels GM Tony Reagins said. "We thought that he was a player who was going to impact our major-league club real soon. "He's got power. He plays multiple positions - he plays second, short, third; he can go in the outfield, ..."
Tampa Bay Rays' Andrew Friedman needs to do a better job this offseason
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October 14
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The centerfielder needs to be better. A lot better. The catcher needs to improve, too. As for the DH, the best thing he can do for Tampa Bay in 2010 is put on the uniform of another team. No doubt about it, the list of breakdowns around Tropicana Field was neither short nor lacking in star power. But of all the Rays who need to bounce back from slumps in 2009, there is one who is more important than the rest: The guy calling the shots. For the longest time, Andrew Friedman looked like the biggest brain in the room whenever baseball's general managers would get together in the offseason. He pulled Carlos Peña off a scrap heap. He stole J.P. Howell from Kansas City. He landed Matt Garza ..."
Rays seem willing to see if catcher Dioner Navarro can come back
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October 11
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Of the three most disappointing Rays, DH Pat Burrell has the farthest to go, CF B.J. Upton is the most important to the team and C Dioner Navarro poses the biggest question. Unless the Rays find a taker for Burrell and his $9 million salary (a chatted-about deal with the Cubs for Milton Bradley appears unlikely) or unless they get overwhelmed with an offer for Upton (since they can't afford to trade when his value is low), both will be back - and, the Rays can only hope, better. Navarro, however, poses a much bigger question. That's because the Rays not only have to decide how likely it is he can be more like the 2008 All-Star than the 2009 flop but also how much they are willing to pay to ..."