Rays Trade Rumors

Cleveland Indians swap relievers with Tampa Bay
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July 2
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Indians have acquired right-hander Winston Abreu from Tampa Bay. They sent the Rays right-hander John Meloan, who is pitching at Class AAA Columbus, and cash. Abreu, 32, is expected to join the Indians over the weekend in Cleveland. A player must be dropped to make room for him. He will wear No. 36. This year Abreu has spent much of the season at Class AAA Durham where he went 3-0 with 10 saves and a 1.41 ERA. He struck out 49, walked 10 and allowed five runs in 32 innings. He appeared in 23 games. He joined the Rays on June 14 and appeared in two games before being designated for assignment. Triple-A hitters batted .123 (14-for-109) against Abreu. Right-handers hit .061 (4-for-66). ..."
Report: Phillies Player Fights With Rays Fan
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June 27
Camden Courier-Post
 
"Still in the process of gathering information about this, but evidently, a Phillies player got into an altercation with a fan after Thursday night's game at Tropicana Field. The police reportedly were involved. The identity of the player is not yet known. The story was initially reported by the St. Petersburg Times."
Tampa, Hillsborough included as possible relocation site for Rays
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June 26
Tampa Tribune
 
"Will the Tampa Bay Rays be coming to downtown Tampa? Not if St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker has anything to say about it. A group studying whether the baseball team should leave Tropicana Field has included three sites in Hillsborough County - downtown Tampa, the West Shore district and the state fairgrounds east Hillsborough - in a list of potential locations for a new stadium. Since the Rays withdrew plans for a waterfront facility in downtown St. Petersburg last year, the A Baseball Community coalition, which is headed by Progress Energy CEO Jeff Lyash, has been searching for a new home for the Mayor League Baseball team. Until now, the coalition has not publicly raised the option of ..."
Pitcher Scott Kazmir's expected return leaves Rays with a tough pitching staff decision
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June 25
St. Petersburg Times
 
"LHP Scott Kazmir is set to return to the Rays rotation and start Saturday or Sunday. What the Rays say they haven't decided yet is who will be dropped to make room. Those talks will continue at least into today, and maybe after tonight's game, which will be started by RHP Andy Sonnanstine, who is one of the candidates. "We've had some discussions, we're trying to narrow it down and figure out the best way to do this," manager Joe Maddon said. "There's different variables involved, and there's different ways to look at it." Having ruled out a six-man rotation, the Rays appear to have four options: • Send down Sonnanstine, who is 5-7 (despite the majors' third-best run support), has a 6.60 ..."
Yankees' scouts see Pedro Martinez show stuff in the Dominican Republic
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June 20
New York Daily News
 
"Pedro Martinez threw 65 pitches off a mound in the Dominican Republic Friday, while scouts from several major league clubs - including the Yankees - watched to determine if the 37-year-old free agent warrants a contract offer this season. "There are a lot of teams that have a lot of interest," Martinez's agent, Fern Cuza, told the Daily News. "They came (Friday) to see Pedro's arm action, how easy the ball was coming out of his hand. But Pedro controls the process - he wants the right situation." According to one scout on hand, the Yankees reps seemed "more aggressive" about talking with Martinez after the throwing session, but it's unlikely the Bombers would sign the righthander since ..."
Yankees among four teams to watch Pedro Martinez pitch in Domincan Republic
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June 19
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Yankees scouts will be on hand Friday in the Dominican Republic to watch free agent Pedro Martinez throw. However, according to reports, the Yankees are not interested in signing the former 37-year-old former Mets and Red Sox ace. The Yankees -- who are going to be joined at the session by representatives from the Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Angels and Chicago Cubs -- are going to be present "as a courtesy to Martinez's agent," according to the Daily News. Fern Cuza, Martinez's agent, also represents Yankees closer Mariano Rivera. The Daily News report also cited a scout who saw Martinez pitch last week and said the three-time Cy Young winner had a "pretty good shot" of catching on with a ..."
Rays talking with pitcher Pedro Martinez
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June 19
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Pedro Martinez is talking about the Rays, but they're not saying anything about the veteran pitcher. And it still appears unlikely they'll be getting together anytime soon. Martinez, 37, told the Associated Press on Wednesday in the Dominican Republic that he has had talks with the Cubs and the Rays and was close to a deal. "There's a good chance I'll be signing soon, but there still isn't anything firm," Martinez said. "Chicago and Tampa Bay are the two teams that have shown the most interest, and we are negotiating with them, although I've told my agent not to call me until it's a done deal." The Rays have talked with Martinez's agent and last week had Eddy Toledo, the director of ..."
Yankees to watch ex-Met ace Pedro Martinez pitch in Dominican
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June 19
New York Daily News
 
""Come to daddy." Well, maybe not. Pedro Martinez, who once famously called the Yankees his "daddy" after a tough loss to them, will throw for Yankee scouts in the Dominican Republic today. But the Yanks aren't really interesting in signing him, according to someone familiar with the team's thinking. The Yankees - along with the Rays, Angels and Cubs - will watch Martinez work out, the person said, but it's believed the Yanks are only doing it as a courtesy to Martinez's agent, Fern Cuza, who also represents stars such as Mariano Rivera and Vladimir Guerrero. The news of the Yankees and other teams watching Martinez was first reported by Ken Rosenthal on foxsports.com. Martinez, a ..."
Pedro Martinez might sign with Chicago Cubs or Tampa Bay Rays
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June 18
Trenton Times
 
"Pedro Martinez could be back on a major league mound soon. The right-hander said on Wednesday that he has had talks with the Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays and hopes to sign a contract in the near future. "There's a good chance I'll be signing soon, but there still isn't anything firm," Martinez told The Associated Press. Martinez, 37, has been training in his native Dominican Republic in hopes of returning to the majors. His four-year deal with the New York Mets ended after last season, making Martinez a free agent. "Chicago and Tampa Bay are the two teams that have shown the most interest and we are negotiating with them, although I've told my agent not to call me until it's a done ..."
Pedro says deal could be on way soon
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June 18
MLB.com
 
"Pedro Martinez said Wednesday that he could be signing a Major League contract soon. The 37-year-old right-hander told The Associated Press in his native Dominican Republic that he has spoken with the Rays and Cubs. "There's a good chance I'll be signing soon, but there still isn't anything firm," Martinez told the AP. "Chicago and Tampa Bay are the two teams that have shown the most interest and we are negotiating with them, although I've told my agent not to call me until it's a done deal." Martinez, who became a free agent after his four-year contract with the Mets expired following the 2008 season, pitched well in relief in the '09 World Baseball Classic. He has been working out in the ..."
Sox not in a hurry to trade Brad Penny, Street being scouted
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June 15
SI.com
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"The Red Sox now "aren't in a hurry" to trade Brad Penny, who hit the mid-90s in his last start vs. the Yankees, even with John Smoltz seemingly ready to go. While it appears they have too much pitching, they also know there's no such thing. The market also hasn't been great so far for Penny, thanks to his $5 million salary. Perhaps with the pitching market dying, though, he'll begin to look better to someone. • Rockies closer Huston Street is being heavily scouted. Among the teams that need a reliever are the Yankees, Rangers and Angels. The Rays, Cubs and Twins might also consider bullpen help. • The Cardinals continue to scour the market for a bat. • Giants lefty Jonathan Sanchez is on ..."
Cubs show interest in Pedro
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June 13
MLB.com
 
"Pedro Martinez recently threw a sideline session for a Rays employee, and it appears as though the Cubs are also showing some interest in the three-time Cy Young Award winner. According to a report on SI.com, citing National League sources, the Cubs have been scouting Martinez as he continues to work out in his native Dominican Republic. Martinez, 37, was linked to several clubs during the offseason, and again after he allowed just one hit in six innings while pitching for the Dominican in the World Baseball Classic in March. However, any interest has been muted by Martinez's asking price, which is believed to be $5 million for the season. The Cubs' apparent interest in Martinez is ..."
Pedro? Probably not
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June 12
Tampa Tribune
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"A Rays official in the Dominican Republic recently watched Pedro Martinez work out there, but it doesn't sound like Tampa Bay has any plans to sign the three-time Cy Young Award winner. The Dominican newspaper Listin Diario reported on its Web site that Martinez threw 20 pitches - all fastballs - for the Rays, who planned to work him out again. Indications from the team, however, were that it is "very unlikely" anything will come of the audition. The Boston Globe reported the Cubs also watched Martinez throw. Martinez went 5-6 with a 5.61 ERA in 20 starts for the Mets last season after returning from shoulder surgery and hasn't found any takers for his services after a brief showcase with ..."
Burrell closing in on his return
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June 11
Tampa Tribune
 
"DH Pat Burrell is finally healthy. His timing is another matter. The Rays' top offseason acquisition, out since May 11 with a neck strain, went 1-for-9 with four strikeouts and a walk in a minor-league rehab assignment at Double-A Montgomery on Monday and Tuesday. He took early batting practice Wednesday at Tropicana Field and will play for Single-A Charlotte today. If that goes well, he could return this weekend, Manager Joe Maddon said. Burrell said he no longer has any limitations with his neck, noting he can finally turn his head to check traffic while driving. The problem flared up in late April during a series at Minnesota but has bothered him at various times during his career. ..."
Tampa Bay Rays think they'll find a talent they like with the 30th pick in today's draft
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June 9
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays can't do anything about having to wait two-plus hours before making the 30th pick tonight in the first round of the annual draft. It's the price of last season's success. Their challenge is to make that pick, and the subsequent ones, starting with No. 78, as productive as in past years when they picked at or near the top of each round. Scouting director R.J. Harrison said late Monday they had a list of 16 names and will be eager to see who is left. "We have a pretty good target group,'' he said. "You hope like heck (the other teams) leave us a couple of the names toward the top of our list.'' Baseball America most recently projected them to take Bonita (Calif.) High shortstop ..."
Draft plan has a catch
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June 7
Tampa Tribune
 
"The few Major League Baseball mock drafts that exist have in recent weeks seemed to favor the Rays selecting a catcher with their first-round pick. There's no doubt catcher is a position of organizational need. Triple-A receiver John Jaso is known more for his bat than his defensive skills, and the Rays' stud prospects in the minors are mostly pitchers, along with shortstop Tim Beckham and outfielders such as Desmond Jennings and Rashad Eldridge. So you've seen names such as Tony Sanchez of Boston College and Arizona high-schooler Tommy Joseph connected to the Rays with the 30th overall pick, and that might end up being the way Tampa Bay goes with its first selection Tuesday night. But it ..."
Longoria could return on Saturday
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June 6
MLB.com
 
"Evan Longoria is optimistic about returning to the Rays' lineup on Saturday afternoon against the Yankees. "I would love to be [in the lineup]," Longoria said. "I don't know what [the team's] feeling is, I haven't talked to [manager Joe Maddon] yet, but like I said, if it was the seventh game of the World Series, I'd be playing today. But we're not even midway yet. [I'm] just going to give it time and see how it feels tomorrow." Longoria felt his left hamstring tighten up while running out a groundout during Tuesday night's game against the Royals. He did not play on Wednesday or Thursday and was not penciled into the lineup on Friday night prior to the game being called due to rain. ..."
Longoria likely won't need to go on disabled list
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June 4
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Evan Longoria was encouraged his injured left hamstring felt much better Wednesday, and with some good MRI exam results, he's day to day with a possible return Friday against the Yankees. Longoria, the majors' RBI leader, was out of the lineup Wednesday but went through some baseball activities (light jogging and throwing) in the afternoon and said he felt okay, just a little sore. Executive VP Andrew Friedman said the Rays are "very optimistic" Longoria will avoid a disabled list stint and confident they'll have him back "relatively soon." "We just may save him until New York, give him two full days and move him onto the regular turf, see how that works, but he's fine," manager Joe Maddon ..."
Infielder deals have yet to be made, but here's one to consider
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May 30
SI.com
 
"It's interesting to see that none of the major infield injuries by contenders has been filled by a trade yet: Cardinals third base (Troy Glaus), Brewers second base (Rickie Weeks), Mets first base (Carlos Delgado) and Rays second base (Akinori Iwamura). The Rays have hit a crisis point because of injuries, a decline in starting pitching and another awful trip to Cleveland. If they do decide to make a trade, one scout suggested that they ought to pry away Freddy Sanchez from the Pirates. Sanchez is exactly the kind of player who fits well in the way Tampa stresses defense and grinding out at-bats. Dan Uggla of Florida, another second baseman who could be available, is not nearly as good a ..."
Trade winds begin as a breeze
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May 27
Yahoo! Sports
 
"Last week's Jake Peavy(notes) near-trade demonstrated that not only will the Padres' ace dictate his relocation terms, but that the annual swapping season will heat up well before the July 31 trading deadline. Here are some developments to watch in the coming days and weeks: • The New York Mets retain keen interest in Washington Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson(notes), to the point where the Nationals have scouts watching the Mets' Triple-A team in Buffalo, N.Y., and Double-A team in Binghamton, N.Y., evaluating pitchers Jon Niese, Mike Antonini and Eddie Kunz(notes) among others. The Mets need a first baseman because Carlos Delgado(notes) could be out for two months after hip surgery. ..."
Bartlett next to the DL?
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May 26
Tampa Tribune
 
"Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett is not listed on the lineup card for tonight's game at Cleveland and apparently is headed to the 15-day disabled list. Bartlett suffered a sprained left ankle in the 10th inning Sunday against Florida but all indications at the time were that the injury was not serious. Minor league infielder Joe Dillon was listed as a reserve on the lineup card originally posted in the Rays clubhouse, but that card has since been removed. A new lineup card was posted shortly thereafter that listed neither Bartlett or Dillon as a reserve. The lineup card, as Rays should know after the recent blunder that saw pitcher Andy Sonnanstine forced to bat in place of Evan ..."
Rays to announce Maddon extension
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May 25
MLB.com
 
"The Rays are expected to announce on Monday that manager Joe Maddon has signed a three-year contract extension to remain with the team through the 2012 season. The Rays have scheduled a 1:30 p.m. ET conference call with reporters. Maddon, club resident Matt Silverman and executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman are scheduled to take part in the call. Maddon, in his fourth season in Tampa Bay, was in the final year of his contract and had a 247-285 overall record entering Monday's game at Cleveland. Despite a payroll that ranked 29th out of 30 Major League teams in 2008, Maddon led the Rays to their first winning season with an AL East-best record of 97-65 to break ..."
Time on disabled list could give Tampa Bay Rays' Scott Kazmir a fresh start
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May 24
St. Petersburg Times
 
"You know a guy is having a tough year when, upon hearing that he is hurt, the first thing you think to say to him is, "Hey … congratulations." That's how bad things have gone for Scott Kazmir, the ace-turned-deuce of the Rays' pitching rotation. For Kazmir, this season has been like getting trapped in hell's outhouse. He has been embarrassed by his ERA. He has been whipped by his WHIP. Magically, he has acquired the ability to transform pedestrian hitters into Ted Williams. Keeping all that in mind, what's a little stopover on the disabled list? This could be a good thing for Kazmir, a good thing for the Rays, a good thing for everyone involved. Kazmir can use the break because of his ..."
Maddon to stick with Kazmir
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May 22
MLB.com
 
"Scott Kazmir will make his next scheduled start, Rays manager Joe Maddon said Thursday, but there are ongoing discussions about whether to make a change in the current starting rotation. After the Rays' beleaguered left-hander struggled through another start Wednesday night, there has been clamoring about bringing up one of Tampa Bay's top young arms from the Minor Leagues, notably David Price. "We're evaluating everything," Maddon said. "Yesterday with [Kazmir], it was just unfortunate. We've been trying so many things to help him out, whether it's physical, conversational, whatever you want to call it. It's been very difficult. We're just evaluating everything right now." Price, the No. ..."
Maddon nears 3-year extension with Rays
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May 21
Tampa Tribune
 
"Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon will finalize a three-year contract extension sometime in the coming days, according to a person familiar with the situation. Maddon is in the last year of his original deal; the new one would lock him up through the 2012 season. Neither Maddon nor team officials would comment on the pending deal. "I have no comment because it's an ongoing matter and it's team policy to not really comment on those things," Maddon said. "At the appropriate time we will, obviously, but it's just not the appropriate time yet." Executive vice president Andrew Friedman took a similar stance. "It is a private matter and we don't comment either way on these types of talks," ..."
Carl Crawford likely to return for Tampa Bay Rays today, but Pat Burrell not
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May 15
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Manager Joe Maddon said LF Carl Crawford probably will return to the lineup today after missing Thursday's game due to a bruised right shoulder. Crawford said his shoulder was feeling better but just a little sore and stiff. He left in the fifth inning Wednesday after his shoulder (which he injured making a diving catch) bothered him during his ensuing at-bat. But it's still wait and see with regard to DH Pat Burrell's neck stiffness. Burrell is scheduled to receive a cortisone shot today, which Maddon expects will make him unavailable for the next two games. But the Rays hope it will help ameliorate what doctors labeled "inflammation." Burrell had an MRI exam Wednesday and was examined ..."
Longoria to miss next two Tampa Bay Rays games
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April 15
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Slugging 3B Evan Longoria is expected to miss the Rays next two games. Longoria was headed to California Wednesday morning for what a team official described as a family matter. He is expected to return for Friday's game against the White Sox. Longoria leads the majors with five homers and has a .441 average and hits in each of the first eight games, a career-best streak."
Details Holding up Hammel Trade
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April 5
InsideTheRockies.com
 
"While the Rockies work to finalize details to obtain right-hander Jason Hammel from Tampa Bay they will be afforded one more opportunity to see him pitch Sunday. Hammel will pitch along with Jeff Neiman, his competition for the fifth spot in the Rays rotation in a minor-league session at Port Charlotte, Fla., Sunday afternoon. Hammel is out of options, which is why Tampa Bay is looking to trade him. The Rays would lose him on a waiver claim if they tried to send him to the minor leagues. Tampa Bay would receive right-handed pitching prospect Aneury Rodriguez from the Rockies if details can be worked out, according to a Tampa Bay source. Tampa Bay needs to do something with Hammel before it ..."
Rockies tentatively set to get Hammel
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April 5
Denver Post
 
"The Rockies and Rays have agreed on the parameters of a deal that would land Colorado right- handed reliever Jason Hammel, but Tampa Bay is still mulling other offers. The Rockies would send Double-A pitcher Aneury Rodriguez to the Rays, whom Tampa Bay scouted heavily in Tucson last week. Tampa Bay, however, has scheduled Hammel to throw in a minor- league game Sunday in a last attempt to increase his trade value to multiple suitors. Hammel, 26, profiles well for the Rockies. He's relatively young with experience as both a big-league starter and reliever. Hammel's arrival could squeeze Juan Morillo off the roster and possibly affect Matt Belisle's anticipated promotion Friday. Hurdle ..."
Rays trying to find a way to hang onto Isringhausen
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April 1
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays were working on finalizing one deal to keep Jason Isringhausen in the organization, though not necessarily on the 25-man active roster. And then they were talking Tuesday about another intriguing possibility, as veteran slugger Gary Sheffield was unexpectedly released by Detroit and expressed interest in coming home to Tampa Bay. The Rays were seeking a creative way to hang onto Isringhausen, the former All-Star closer who'd provide valuable depth to their bullpen but doesn't want to pitch in the minor leagues. And they may have found one: adding him to the 40-man roster, and starting to pay his $750,000 salary, but putting him on the disabled list and having him spend a couple ..."
Sheffield Unlikely To Fit In
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April 1
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Rays' newly acquired status as a destination spot for free agents comes with a caveat: They don't have nearly enough room to accommodate players who might otherwise be attractive to them. Gary Sheffield would seem to be in that category after the Tigers released him Tuesday. The Tampa native told reporters in Lakeland that he would prefer to stay at home and play for the Rays, but the chances of that happening appear slim. Though the Tigers are responsible for most of the $14 million Sheffield is due, leaving the team that signs him to pay only $400,000 for the slugger's services this year, the Rays already have Pat Burrell in the role Sheffield would play. The 40-year-old could ..."
Tampa Bay Rays trying to find a way to hang onto Isringhausen
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March 31
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays were working on finalizing one deal to keep Jason Isringhausen in the organization, though not necessarily on the 25-man active roster. And then they were talking Tuesday about another intriguing possibility, as veteran slugger Gary Sheffield was unexpectedly released by Detroit and expressed interest in coming home to Tampa Bay. The Rays were seeking a creative way to hang on to Isringhausen, the former All-Star closer who'd provide valuable depth to their bullpen but doesn't want to pitch in the minor leagues. And they may have found one: adding him to the 40-man roster, and starting to pay his $750,000 salary, but putting him on the disabled list and having him spend a couple ..."
Sheffield Released By Tigers, Eyes Rays
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March 31
Tampa Tribune
 
"Tampa native Gary Sheffield would prefer to continue his career with his hometown team after his surprising release by the Detroit Tigers today, but it wouldn't appear the Rays have any room for him. Sheffield, who is sitting on 499 career home runs, told the Detroit Free Press "it ain't close" to the end of his career. The Free Press said Sheffield indicated he would give preference to the Rays. That isn't a new development; there were rumblings last year that Sheffield would be thrilled to join the suddenly respectable Rays. But then, as now, it appears an unlikely fit."
Niemann stalemate
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March 29
San Diego Union-Tribune
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"The Padres have shown interest in trading for starting pitcher Jeff Niemann, a No. 5 candidate for the Tampa Bay Rays. In return, the defending American League champions have inquired about Padres prospects Simon Castro, Wynn Pelzer, Juedy Valdez and Nick Schmidt. The Padres have deemed the price too high. Niemann is out of minor league options, reducing the Rays'trade leverage."
Longo May Join Team USA
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March 17
Tampa Tribune
 
"Evan Longoria might get his chance to play in the World Baseball Classic after all. Left off Team USA's final roster in deference to the more established third basemen Chipper Jones and David Wright, Longoria would seem a good bet to replace the injured Jones if the U.S. advances to the final round of the event. "I talked to U.S. manager Davey Johnson right before the thing started and he said if they needed somebody I would be the first in line," Longoria said Monday. "If it happens, it happens - I'll be ready to go. I'd be happy to go." The U.S. can't replace Jones, who has a strained muscle in his side, during the current round. But if the U.S. wins tonight in Miami to move on to next ..."
Comeback? Schilling lists Tampa Bay Rays among teams he'd consider
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March 1
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Pitcher Curt Schilling, who is mulling a comeback, told the Orlando Sentinel that he would consider playing for a championship-caliber team such as the Rays or Cubs. Schilling, 42, last pitched for the Red Sox in 2007 en route to his third World Series title. He missed all of last season and had shoulder surgery in the summer. He told the Sentinel money wouldn't be a huge issue and he'd look for a contender that has yet to win a title. "The challenge would be in a place like Tampa Bay or Chicago," he said. Schilling still hasn't decided whether he'll pitch again but told the paper his shoulder feels fine. Rays fans last saw him throw a ceremonial first pitch in the 2008 ALCS. Schilling ..."
Agent: Rays Win Navarro Arbitration Case
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February 10
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Tampa Bays Rays have prevailed in their arbitration case with catcher Dioner Navarro, the player's agent said today. Navarro will make $2.1 million this season, $400,000 less than he had requested, after a three-person arbitration panel ruled in favor of the Rays today following a hearing yesterday in Phoenix. Navarro's Tampa-based agent, Kendall Almerico, indicated there were no hard feelings between the parties as they emerge from the often contentious hearing process. Before boarding a flight back to Tampa, Almerico sent along this statement via text message: "Navi wants to thank the Rays organization for making this a fair debate and for handling the hearing with class. He is ..."
Pirates wrap up Maholm, Hinske contracts
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January 31
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Pirates yesterday swung two of their most significant moves of the offseason, the expected signings of starter Paul Maholm to a $14.5 million extension that retains his rights through 2012, and outfielder Eric Hinske to a one-year, $1.5 million contract out of free agency. In the process, they made another significant call: Doug Mientkiewicz, the fiery and popular utilityman, almost surely will not be back. General manager Neal Huntington conceded as much for the first time. "The signing of Eric would realistically ... I don't want to say eliminate, because we told Doug going into spring training last year that he wasn't going to make the team ... but it certainly decreases the chances ..."
Pirates set to sign Maholm, Hinske
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January 30
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Pirates are expected to turn a double play of signings today, with pitcher Paul Maholm on a three-year contract extension and free-agent outfielder Eric Hinske on a one-year contract, each having agreed to terms yesterday. The bigger deal, in many ways, will be the first. Maholm and the team early yesterday morning agreed to a term that guarantees his salary through all three of his arbitration-eligible years and comes with a club option for a fourth year, 2012, that would have been his first after becoming eligible for free agency. Salary figures were not available, but the total guaranteed money is estimated to be in the range of $13 million-$14 million. All that was needed for ..."
Pirates talking to outfielders Hinske, Gonzalez
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January 29
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Pirates have had contract discussions with free-agent outfielder Eric Hinske and could be close to an agreement, though none has been reached yet. Other free-agent outfielders, including Luis Gonzalez, remain in the mix, though that surely would change if Hinske were signed. Hinske, 31, is a .254 career hitter with 105 home runs over seven seasons with three American League teams. Last season, he batted .247 with 20 home runs and 60 RBIs in 381 at-bats for the Tampa Bay Rays, with appearances in right and left field, first base and third base. His best season came as a rookie with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2002, when he batted .279 with 24 home runs and 84 RBIs. He never matched the ..."
Rice vs. Ruth is apples vs. oranges
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January 16
Rocky Mountain News
 
"Amid the debate over Jim Rice's Hall of Fame candidacy came a missive from a New England fan who wanted it known that "Jim Rice's offensive stats for his first 10 years in the Majors were better than Babe Ruth's." Times change. So do the value of stats. Be careful of such traps. Just like the value of the dollar, the value of a stat must be adjusted to the era in which it is compiled. Rice had an impressive career, but did he have a better first decade than Ruth? Well, Ruth was a 20-game winner twice in his first 10 years. He was 92-46 overall, having been primarily a pitcher in his first four full big-league seasons. It wasn't even until his fourth full season, when he led the majors in ..."
Sox closer on Baldelli
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January 8
Boston Globe
 
"Rocco Baldelli is scheduled to be at tonight's Boston Baseball Writers dinner at the Westin Waterfront Hotel to accept the Tony Conigliaro Award. Will Baldelli have some good news as to his whereabouts for next season? And will his new employer be the Red Sox? According to sources close to the talks, the 27-year-old Baldelli is inching closer to a deal with the Sox. Boston has done extensive background work on Baldelli's health, including a mitochondrial disorder that has been rediagnosed as the less severe channelopathy this winter. Sox general manager Theo Epstein declined to comment on Baldelli. The Sox also are trying to hash out an agreement with free agent righthander John Smoltz, ..."
Rocco Baldelli, Red Sox near deal
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January 8
Boston Herald
 
"The Red Sox were closing in on a one-year deal with free agent outfielder Rocco Baldelli last night, according to a baseball source familiar with the talks. An announcement could come as soon as tonight when the Rhode Island native is scheduled to attend the 70th annual Boston Baseball Writers Dinner. Baldelli, 27, will receive the Tony Conigliaro Award for his comeback from an energy-depleting health disorder. After missing Tampa Bay’s first 116 games last season, Baldelli played 28 games (starting 16) down the stretch and hit .263 with 13 RBI. He played in eight of the Rays’ 16 postseason games, hitting .200 with two home runs. Baldelli has played in parts of five seasons with the Rays ..."
Pirates still on Baldelli's trail
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January 7
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Pirates remain active in a narrowing field of teams pursuing free-agent outfielder Rocco Baldelli. There had been five or six suitors for Baldelli as of late last month, but two appear to have been removed this week: The Tampa Bay Rays signed another free-agent outfielder, Pat Burrell, and the Cincinnati Reds re-signed superutilityman Jerry Hairston Jr. The field now could be down to the Pirates and two American League teams, according to one source directly involved in negotiations. And the thinking in the Pirates' offices is that their situation on the corner outfield spots -- Brandon Moss is recovering from knee surgery, and Nyjer Morgan is not currently seen as everyday material -- ..."
Rays On Verge Of Signing Burrell
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January 5
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Rays are on the verge of adding the big bat they have sought since the end of the World Series - and it happens to be a player who was on the winning side in the Fall Classic. Pat Burrell is close to joining the Rays on a two-year contract, two sources confirmed today. Fox Sports reports the deal will be worth $16 million. Burrell, 32, has spent his entire career with the Phillies. The first overall pick in the 1998 draft out of the University of Miami, the Arkansas native broke into the big leagues two years later and has been a fixture in left field in Philadelphia since the following year. Burrell figures to be used primarily as a designated hitter with Tampa Bay, and his ..."
Rays close to deal with Burrell
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January 5
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays are closing in on a deal to sign free agent OF/DH Pat Burrell to a two-year contract. Burrell, 32, hit .250 with 33 homers and 86 RBIs for the world champ Phillies. He would give the Rays the righthanded power bat they were looking for to balance their lineup. The deal could be completed today; look for the total to be under $10-million per season, perhaps for a total of $17-million. The Rays had been considering a group of hitters including Jason Giambi, Bobby Abreu, Milton Bradley and Garret Anderson. Burrell has spent his entire career with the Phillies since coming to the majors in 2000. He hit a career high 37 homers in 2002, and has averaged nearly 30 a year each season."
Griffey would like to play for Rays
Comment
January 5
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Five teams have shown interest in outfielder Ken Griffey Jr., agent Brian Goldberg told SI.com. According to Goldberg, three American League teams and two NL teams have expressed some level of interest. The Mariners and Rays are known to be two of the AL teams eyeing Griffey, who'd like to play at least one more season. A friend of Griffey's said that the power-hitter would love to play for Tampa Bay, which is less than two hours from his Orlando home. The Rays are looking for hitters, and though Griffey's on their list, other younger players, such as Bobby Abreu, Pat Burrell, and perhaps Jason Giambi or Garrett Anderson might be higher on it. Griffey had his left knee drained three times ..."
Rays have interest in signing Griffey Jr.
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January 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"Where will Ken Griffey Jr. land next after his short stint with the White Sox last season? The defending American League champion Tampa Bay Rays are one team that has expressed an interest, Griffey's agent Brian Goldberg told SI.com. A friend of Griffey's said last year that the future Hall of Famer would love to play for Tampa Bay, which is less than two hours from his Orlando home. While Griffey is on the Rays' list, a couple of younger hitters, such as Bobby Abreu and Pat Burrell, may be higher on it. Another possible destination for Griffey could be Seattle, where he started his big-league career. While the Mariners are rebuilding, they could view Griffey as an aid to their young ..."
Rays, Mariners linked to Griffey
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January 4
MLB.com
 
"The Rays and the Mariners are among five teams that have shown interest in signing Ken Griffey Jr., according to a report by SI.com. Griffey's longtime agent, Brian Goldberg, told the Web site that three American League teams and two National League teams have expressed some level of interest in the future Hall of Famer. The Rays and the Mariners are the two teams that have already been publicly linked to Griffey. The Rays are likely appealing to Griffey because Tampa Bay plays less than two hours from his Orlando home. The Rays have been looking to add at least one hitter to their roster, although it's uncertain just how high Griffey ranks on their list in a free-agent market that's still ..."
Pirates pursue recovering Baldelli
Comment
December 23
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Pirates are in pursuit of outfielder Rocco Baldelli, one of the most intriguing -- and risky -- players available in Major League Baseball's free agency. Baldelli, 27, once was among the sport's rising stars, but his career with Tampa Bay was derailed by a medical condition that caused extreme fatigue and kept him from regular duty. He missed most of this past season because of it but returned to the Rays in August and hit .263 with four home runs in 28 games, then two more home runs in the playoffs. The initial diagnosis was that Baldelli had mitochondrial disorder, a potentially debilitating condition. But the new diagnosis produced this month after extensive tests at the Cleveland ..."