Tampa Bay Rays Trade Rumors

Rays could change divisions under 'floating' realignment idea
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March 10
Tampa Tribune
 
"A Major League Baseball committee is exploring the concept of floating realignment, in which teams could change divisions each year based on geography, payroll and plans to contend, according to a report on SI.com. Should the idea be implemented, the Tampa Bay Rays theoretically would not have to compete for a division title each year against the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, big-market teams with megapayrolls. Talks are in the very preliminary stages, part of a "brainstorming" session, said the report by Sports Illustrated baseball writer Tom Verducci. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig created a 14-person "special committee for on-field matters" four months ago, the report said. The ..."
Rays on verge of signing former Rangers infielder Hank Blalock
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March 8
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays were very close Sunday night to finalizing a deal with former two-time All-Star INF Hank Blalock. The longtime Ranger will sign a minor-league contract but will provide the Rays depth and the option of another left-handed bat at the major league-level. Blalock, 29, hit .234 with 25 homers and 66 RBIs for Texas last season, splitting time between first base and DH, but had only a .277 on-base percentage. He missed major portions of the 2007-08 seasons with a series of injuries. SHIELDS ON TARGET: The only reason James Shields hasn't been named the Rays' opening day starter yet, manager Joe Maddon admitted, is because he hasn't gotten around to officially telling him. "I've got to ..."
Deal with Blalock very close
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March 8
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays are very close tonight to completing a deal to sign INF Hank Blalock to a minor-league contract. Blalock, 29, is a former two-time All-Star who missed hefty portions of the 2007-2008 seasons with injuries but returned last year to hit 25 home runs for the Rangers, with a .234 average and 66 RBIs, splitting time between first base and DH."
Rays, Hank Blalock reportedly close to agreement
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March 7
SportingNews.com
 
"SI.com reports free-agent infielder Hank Blalock is close to signing with the Rays. Blalock presumably would back up Carlos Pena at first base, Evan Longoria at third base and Pat Burrell at DH."
Another bat? Blalock a possibility
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March 5
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays like the team they have assembled, but they are always looking for ways to improve. And that could include adding another veteran left-handed bat. The Rays have interest in longtime Texas INF Hank Blalock on a minor-league deal. The Marlins do, too, and there are several reports that Blalock is set to choose between the two Florida teams."
Carlos Peña says he hopes to stay after his contract ends
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February 25
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The swing looked good, nary a sign of the broken fingers that ended his 2009 season a month early. But it was Carlos Peña's beaming smile that stood out. It was a true reflection, he said, of how excited he was to be back on the field as the Rays went through their first full-squad workout Wednesday. And also, a symbol of how he plans to carry himself through what could be his last season in what he calls "the best place on Earth to play baseball." Peña is an educated and erudite man, and in his head, he knows he may be done with the Rays. He's making $10.125 million at the end of his three-season deal and realizes he may not fit in their future, payroll-reduced plans. But in his heart, he ..."
Carl Crawford hopes to avoid distractions in what is likely his final season with team
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February 23
St. Petersburg Times
 
"There may be moments of melancholy, Carl Crawford acknowledges, when he'll realize there's something he might be doing for the last time as a Ray. "It's kind of sad when you think of it like that," he said. And there will be times, he admits, when his best efforts to not let his undetermined future and pending free agency become a distraction may fail. "It will probably get to a point where it will irritate me a little bit," he said. The reality, though, is that Monday most likely was the beginning of the end, the start of Crawford's 11th and last spring training as a member of the Rays organization. He reported to camp saying the right things, that he was still hopeful of re-signing with ..."
Crawford reports to Rays' camp for possible final time
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February 23
Tampa Tribune
 
"Carl Crawford darted around the Rays spring training complex Monday morning, from the weight room to the batting cage to the clubhouse back to the weight room. It was his first day of work this spring and he quickly fell into a familiar routine, one he's repeated for the past seven springs. The question is: Will spring No. 8 be the last? "I don't really know," Crawford said. "It can go either way. I'm hoping for the best like always." And by the "best," Crawford means re-signing with the Rays. "Yeah, I mean to me (that's the 'best')," Crawford said. "I don't know what other people's 'best' is. Some people the 'best' might be for me to go." The Rays left fielder is in the final year of a ..."
Rays plan to address Crawford deal
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February 22
Foxsports.com
 
"The Rays' chances of re-signing Carl Crawford took a major hit last week, when owner Stuart Sternberg told WDAE-AM in Tampa Bay that the team's payroll would be under $60 million next year. It's difficult for teams to have one player take up a quarter of their payroll, but that's probably what it would take for the Rays to keep Crawford beyond this year. Still, the team is going to try. Rays general manager Andrew Friedman said in an interview with FOXSports.com on Sunday that he will likely address Crawford's status with the outfielder and/or his representatives next week. "It'll be something that we'll address more, probably next week," Friedman said. "I don't want to get into it too ..."
Friedman still trying to add some pieces
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February 19
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Rays took a good look at free agent Russell Branyan and reportedly made an offer, but the lure of more playing time in Cleveland probably will land the former Rays player in an Indians uniform. The Rays also kicked the tires on Johnny Damon. It's all part of Andrew Friedman's daily quest to make the Rays as competitive as possible. Still, the Rays' executive vice president of baseball operations said Thursday that he is happy with the 57 players he has in camp, calling it "the most talented collection of players we've ever had." Even better than the 2008 team that went to the World Series. But, Friedman was quick to add: "I think in '09 we had a better team than we did in '08." It ..."
Bidding for Russell Branyan down to Cleveland Indians and Tampa Bay
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February 18
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"It appears the bidding for Russell Branyan is down to the Indians and Rays. Foxsports.com reports that Boston is no longer interested and that has been confirmed. The team that secures Branyan's services will most likely be the one that can guarantee him the most at-bats. Right now, it's believed that the money being offered by the Indians and Rays is about equal. The Indians like Branyan because he gives them power and protection at first, third, DH and the corner outfield spots. First baseman Matt LaPorta is coming off surgery on his left big toe and hip. DH Travis Hafner has been slowed by a sore right shoulder for the last two years. Branyan hit .251 (108-for-431) with 31 homers and 76 ..."
Indians bidding against two other teams for slugger Russell Branyan
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February 17
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Indians have offered Russell Branyan a big-league contract, but now they have to sign him. Boston and Tampa Bay are also reportedly interested in Branyan, who hit 31 homers last year for Seattle. It's believed Boston and Tampa Bay have offered Branyan bigger base salaries than the Indians. The Tribe is apparently trying to counter that with a bigger bonus package. The Indians, going young and cutting payroll this year, have signed only one free agent to a big-league contract this winter. The other free agents they've signed have been to minor-league, non-guaranteed deals. Branyan, 34, was a seventh-round draft pick of the Indians in 1994. He had a career year last season with 31 homers ..."
Tampa Bay Rays add low-risk, high-reward bullpen candidate in former Ranger Joaquin Benoit
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February 16
St. Petersburg Times
 
"If Joaquin Benoit can pitch again like he did before his shoulder injury, he could make the Rays' already improved bullpen even better. The Rays are willing to take a low-risk look, signing Benoit to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training. Benoit, 32, struggled through the 2008 season hurt and sat out last year recovering from rotator cuff surgery in January 2009. He has been throwing in the Dominican Republic and is expected to participate fully in camp with the idea he could be ready for the start of the regular season. The Rays, among a dozen teams interested, saw enough in two throwing sessions to work out a deal that would pay him $750,000 if he makes the roster, with ..."
Sternberg: Payroll to shrink in 2011
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February 16
Tampa Tribune
 
"Rays owner Stuart Sternberg was a guest Monday night on the Rays' weekly "Hot Stove Show" (620 AM) and told hosts Andy Freed and Dave Wills that fans can expect a reduced payroll after this season. "It won't be 70 (million) and it won't be 60 (million)," he said. The payroll is around $72 million for 2010 and includes huge contracts for Carl Crawford ($10 million), Carlos Pena ($10.125 million) and newly signed closer Rafael Soriano ($7.25 million). "We did outspend ourselves last year and completely outspent ourselves this year, and we'll feel the effects of that next year," Sternberg said."
Cuban slugger Ruiz could sign soon
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February 15
MLB.com
 
"It may only be a few more days before Cuban first-base prospect Jose Julio Ruiz picks his first Major League organization, according to a Saturday report by El Nuevo Herald. The Spanish-based newspaper affiliated with The Miami Herald reported that negotiations for Ruiz have "intensified" as Spring Training looms, with concrete offers from big league clubs trickling in for the 25-year-old lefty hitter. "By next week, he should be signed already," one of Ruiz's agents, Jorge Luis Toca, told El Nuevo Herald in Spanish. "Perhaps Wednesday we'll announce something." Toca told El Nuevo Herald the Blue Jays, Rangers, Red Sox, Giants, Rays and Rockies have been the most interested in signing ..."
Rays, centerfielder B.J. Upton go to arbitration Friday
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February 12
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The $300,000 gap between the Rays and centerfielder B.J. Upton is, by arbitration standards, relatively slight. Both sides say they are going into today's hearing confident the outcome won't result in a chasm. The process can be problematic and the words pointed as each side gets an hour to make its case then a half-hour to rebut the other's. The three-arbiter panel will then pick the Rays' offer of $3 million or Upton's request for $3.3 million with an announcement expected Saturday. The Rays (4-0 in arbitration) will be represented by general counsel/senior vice president John Higgins and the Proskauer Rose law firm. Upton joins agent Larry Reynolds and his staff. Neither side will be ..."
Johnny Damon nearing decision
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February 11
ESPN.com
 
"The Johnny Damon Sweepstakes appeared to be nearing the finish line Thursday, as Damon tries to choose from several offers far less than the two-year, $20 million deal he and agent Scott Boras have been seeking. Two sources told ESPN.com that the Detroit Tigers have made the largest offer, amid speculation around the industry that that bid is in the range of one year, $7 million. There were indications the sides were still discussing a possible two-year deal. But even the Tigers' one-year offer appears to be the biggest offer on the table. The Atlanta Braves and Tampa Bay Rays have also remained in the bidding, with both teams talking about one-year contracts for fewer total dollars than ..."
Suitors eyeing Damon in reduced market
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February 11
MLB.com
 
"While celebrating a World Series championship with his Yankees teammates in October, Johnny Damon didn't have much reason to believe this offseason would evolve like this. But one week before the start of Spring Training, the 36-year-old outfielder is staring at the reality that he's still seeking his next employer. The Braves have spent the past couple of weeks monitoring Damon's situation, and they opted to offer him a one-year deal earlier this week. Financial terms of the offer weren't disclosed. A Major League source, however, has indicated that the contract's total value is less than $4 million, which includes deferred money. While the Braves have provided an offer, there is still a ..."
Friedman: Talks on moves will continue
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February 9
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Are the Rays going to make any more additions to their roster before the start of spring training? Executive Andrew Friedman, appearing tonight on 620-AM, wouldn't commit. But he made it clear they are going to continue to explore the possibilities - meaning you can expect more rumors over the next couple weeks - and shed a little light on their thought process. "We have a responsibility and that's to monitor the market. I think one of our biggest fears is to see someone's name come across the ticker and they signed for "X" and it's something we would have done,'' Friedman told Andy Freed and Dave Wills during the show."
Rays claim relief pitcher Mike Ekstrom off waivers from Padres
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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
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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
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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 ..."
An interesting minor-league sign: Matt Bush
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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
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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
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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 ..."
Hudson talks remain fluid
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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 ..."
Upton open to long-term deal with Tampa Bay Rays
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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
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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, ..."
The New Jersey/southern Connecticut Rays? Or how about the Orlando Rays?
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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."
Czech teen Havlicek proof of Rays' worldwide operations
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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
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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
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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 sign Bartlett to one-year deal
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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)."
Thome Looks like Longshot
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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
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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 ..."
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 ..."
Could Fernando Perez become surprise Chicago Cub?
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December 27
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Phil Rogers
"The Cubs clearly aren't blown away by any of the center fielders on the free agent market, preferring to explore trades. One name to file away is Fernando Perez. Speedy, bright and the holder of a .375 minor league on-base percentage, the Rays switch hitter, 27 in April, would be an interesting gamble complicated because he is recovering from shoulder surgery. Scott Podsednik's ability to lead off keeps him in consideration alongside Marlon Byrd and Rick Ankiel . As it has for Matt Holliday, the market has remained slow for Jason Bay. He has been sitting on a four-year, $64 million offer from the Mets -- who must wonder if he wants to play there -- and could be hoping the Red Sox will ..."
Rays ship Talbot to Indians to complete Shoppach trade
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December 21
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Tampa Bay Rays sent pitcher Mitch Talbot to the Cleveland Indians today to complete the trade for catcher Kelly Shoppach. The trade was made Dec. 1. The Rays also received cash from the Indians."
Flurry of deals leave Tampa Bay Rays ahead
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December 20
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Roy Halladay went to Philadelphia. John Lackey to Boston. Cliff Lee and, in the ultimate act of regifting, Milton Bradley to Seattle. So where, after a dizzying preholi­day week of moves, does that leave the Rays? Arguably in a better place. HALLADAY: The Rays, arguably, could be the only team to miss having the former Blue Jays ace around the AL East. While others failed, the Rays feasted, going 7-3, 3.69 in 11 tries the past two seasons — in which Halladay lost only 21 total. Overall, they've battled to a 12-11 mark against him. He has more losses only to Boston, and — in a bit of good trivia — he's the pitcher the Rays have beaten the most — one more time than the infamous Sir Sidney ..."
3 teams interested, but Bradley deal not close
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December 18
Foxsports.com
 
"At least three teams remain interested in Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley — the Rays, Rangers and Mariners. However, no trade is close, according to major-league sources. The Rays and Cubs have been at an impasse for weeks, with neither side willing to budge on the terms of a proposed Bradley-for-Pat Burrell exchange. The Rangers, one source said, remain a "longshot" for Bradley, who would fit well in their lineup, but did not leave on the best of terms after the 2007 season."
Balfour agrees to 1-year deal
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December 14
Tampa Tribune
 
"Grant Balfour might not have had his best season in 2009, but it was profitable. The right-hander, who led the Rays in appearances, avoided arbitration Sunday when he agreed to a one-year, $2.05 million contract. Balfour, who made $1.4 million in 2009, pitched in 73 games last season, the second most in team history behind Shawn Camp's 75 in 2006."
Reliever Grant Balfour returns to Tampa Bay Rays
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December 14
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays crossed another potential arbitration case off their list Sunday, agreeing to a one-year deal with reliever Grant Balfour for $2.05 million. Balfour made $1.4 million last season, going 5-4, 4.81 in 73 appearances. Over the last week, the Rays have committed $11.2 million to their bullpen in signing Rafael Soriano, Lance Cormier, Randy Choate and Balfour, with Dan Wheeler under contract for $3.5 million and J.P. Howell eligible for arbitration. That gives them a solid six, with a slot for a long man, but they are open to adding another arm. Expect them to check into some nontendered relievers such as Matt Capps and Mike MacDougal, and to explore other options."
Balfour signs one-year deal with Rays
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December 13
MLB.com
 
"The Tampa Bay Rays signed right-hander Grant Balfour to a one-year deal for $2.05 million on Sunday, avoiding arbitration with the veteran reliever. Balfour, 31, was 5-4 with four saves and a 4.81 ERA in 73 games for the Rays in 2009, collecting saves in his last three outings. In 67 1/3 innings, he limited hitters to a .235 average, striking out 69 batters while walking 33. The Sydney, Australia, native has pitched out of the Rays' bullpen for the past three seasons, coming over to the club from Milwaukee midway through the 2007 campaign. In 204 Major League games, he has posted a 4.20 ERA."
Rays retain catchers Dioner Navarro, Kelly Shoppach at deadline to tender contracts
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December 13
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The numbers catcher Dioner Navarro put up last season were so bad the Rays were looking hard at other options. But at the right number, they were willing to give him another chance. So when Navarro agreed Saturday night to a one-year deal for the same $2.1 million he made last season, the Rays decided they'd stick with the tandem of Navarro and newcomer Kelly Shoppach and hope both improve. "I feel like we're a better team with both than with one guy and another guy on the market," executive vice president Andrew Friedman said. They decided by the midnight deadline to not tender contracts to outfielder Gabe Gross, who will be replaced as the left-handed hitting reserve/platoon outfielder ..."
Rays are right to wait on Milton Bradley
Comment
December 10
St. Petersburg Times
 columnist John Romano
"The cost of a shortstop is pretty easy to figure out. You start with Derek Jeter and work your way down the value scale. The same is true at third base and centerfield and pretty much any position on the field. The value of most any ballplayer can be determined fairly easily by checking comparables at the same position. Except, it seems, when it comes to Milton Bradley. Apparently, there is a scarcity of switch-hitting pariahs. And it looks like very few teams want to spend much money on baseball's most infamous example. Which goes a long way toward explaining why the Cubs walked the lobby of baseball's winter meetings in Indianapolis with Milton's hat in hand. They tried to drum up ..."