Tampa Bay Rays Trade Rumors

Rays win arbitration case against pitcher Jeff Niemann
February 4
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays say they don't like going to arbitration hearings, but they definitely have the routine down. Friday's ruling that they prevailed over right-hander Jeff Niemann extended their record to 5-0 under executive vice president Andrew Friedman and 6-0 overall. Niemann, who was 11-7 with a 4.06 ERA in 23 games last season and spent six weeks on the disabled list with a back strain, will make $2.75 million this season. He sought $3.2 million. The Rays went to a hearing with Niemann when the sides couldn't resolve "philosophical" differences by the Jan. 17 deadline to exchange figures. The Rays settled in time with their five other arbitration-eligible players: centerfielder B.J. Upton ($7"
Rays still have pitching to deal after filling most holes through free agency
January 29
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays' primary goal going into the offseason was to bolster their occasionally anemic offense without diminishing their dazzling defense. Additionally, they wanted to add a few experienced arms to their bullpen, improve their bench and solidify their catching. For the most part, they have done all that, though it sure seems they still need to add another experienced catcher, given that Jose Lobaton and Robinson Chirinos, the potential partners for Jose Molina, have a combined 42 games in the majors. The surprise is how the Rays have done that: primarily by opening their checkbook — committing more than $18 million to five free agents — and without trading any starting pitchers. To think"
Rays add infield depth, sign Keppinger to 1-year deal
January 28
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Rays signed veteran infielder Jeff Keppinger today to a one-year, $1.525 million deal with incentives. Keppinger, 31, who made $2.3 million in 2011 while splitting time between Houston and San Francisco, will give the Rays another right-handed bat as well as depth around the infield. He has played more than 100 games at second base, shortstop and third base during his seven-year career. He also has seen time at first base and all three outfield positions. His experience – albeit not much – in the outfield will create options for Joe Maddon as Maddon goes to his bench during the late innings. "Jeff is a good player who fits our club well," Rays executive vice president of baseball"
Tampa Bay Rays close to deal with reserve infielder Jeff Keppinger
January 26
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays were looking for one more right-handed hitter to fill out their roster and have settled on veteran infielder Jeff Keppinger. The Rays and Keppinger are finalizing a deal, the Tampa Bay Times learned Wednesday, and, pending a successful physical exam today, an announcement is expected by Friday. Keppinger, 31, has played parts of seven seasons in the majors, splitting 2011 between the Astros, who traded him in July, and Giants, who let him go after the season."
Rays re-sign first baseman Carlos Peña
January 21
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Carlos Peña can be a loquacious and inspirational speaker, but on Friday he needed only two words — well, and five exclamation points — in a text message to convey how he felt about returning to the Rays: "Sooooo excited ... !!!!!" Peña is headed back after agreeing to terms on a one-year, $7.25 million contract that is expected to be officially announced — and thoroughly discussed — after his physical exam on Tuesday. The deal is the second step, following last week's signing of DH Luke Scott, of what the Rays project to be a significant upgrade of their offense. Peña averaged 36 homers and 102 RBIs during his 2007-10 stint with the Rays, while playing stellar defense and providing"
Deal for Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon expected soon
January 14
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The only official business the Rays concluded Friday was making room for new addition Luke Scott on the 40-man roster by designating catcher Nevin Ashley for assignment. Of more significance, they continued talks on a multiyear contract extension for manager Joe Maddon, whose deal expires after this season. But with Maddon leaving today on a European vacation, it's possible negotiations won't be concluded until his late-January return. There is no deadline, and both sides have said publicly they expect a new deal. Also, in what was a formality, the five eligible Rays filed for arbitration by Friday's deadline: centerfielder B.J. Upton and pitchers Burke Badenhop, J.P. Howell, Jeff Niemann"
Rays won't limit search for another bat to first basemen
January 13
St. Petersburg Times
 
"With Luke Scott signed and set for everyday duty, the Rays are now focused on adding another hitter to complete the planned upgrade of their offense. Executive vice president Andrew Friedman said they are perusing numerous possibilities: trade or free agent, right- or left-handed, bargain or expensive. Most interesting, he claimed they are not limiting their search to a first baseman. "We're just looking for a bat," Friedman said. "We like to have 'optionality.' We like to be as flexible as we can be. We don't want to pigeonhole ourselves into any one area if we can avoid it just because it expands the applicant pool. "We're just going through a long list of names right now trying to"
Rays seek more offense even after signing Scott
January 13
Tampa Tribune
 
"The addition of Luke Scott gives the Tampa Bay Rays a left-handed power bat, one they feel comfortable with in matchups against left-handed pitching. It does not, however, mean the Rays have landed a full-time designated hitter. Nor does it mean the Rays have centered their search on a full-time first baseman. Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Thursday his options are open as he continues to find more offense. "We're just looking for a bat. We like to have options. We like to be as flexible as we can be. We don't want to pigeon hole ourselves into any one area if we can avoid it, just because it expands the applicant pool," Friedman said. "We're just"
Maddon contract talks progressing
January 12
St. Petersburg Times
 
"There has been progress in the talks between the Rays and manager Joe Maddon on a contract extension. Maddon's current contract expires as the end of this coming season. Both sides have expressed strong public interest in continuing the successful relationship. Maddon said in early December that talks had begun and he was "very confident" an agreement would be reached. "I'm sure it's going to be all worked out in due time," Maddon said in Dallas at the baseball winter meetings. And executive VP Andrew Friedman said then, "My expectation is to work with Joe for a long time.""
Rays have deal with Luke Scott
January 11
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Luke Scott has agreed to a deal with the Rays to be their DH. "I'm excited,'' Scott told the Times. Scott said he has agreed to a one-year deal, with an 2013 option, and his contract includes some incentives. He expects to primarily serve as the DH - which means the end of Johnny Damon's tenure with the Rays - and play some at first base. Scott missed most of last season while undergoing right shoulder surgery in July, but said he is progressing well and passed what was surely an extensive physical with the Rays. "There's no reason why I shouldn't be ready for opening day,'' Scott said."
Rays, Red Sox, Cardinals may be fallbacks for Ryan Madson
January 8
Boston Globe
 
"Ryan Madson, RP, free agent - Doubtful that any team will give him the four years and $44 million he originally wanted from the Phillies, but he becomes a pretty good bargain if he is still looking for something later this month or into February. The Angels say they're not interested, but I just don't see how they can entrust their superb rotation to Jordan Walden, who blew 10 saves last season. When and if the price goes down, a lot of teams - including the Red Sox, Rays, and Cardinals - will be interested."
The Rays are interested in Ryan Theriot
January 8
Hardball Talk
 
"While the Rays are still weighing their options for first base and designated hitter, Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that they also have interest in Ryan Theriot as a right-handed hitting utility infielder. Theriot was non-tendered by the Cardinals last month after batting .271/.321/.342 with one home run, 47 RBI and a .662 OPS over 483 plate appearances in 2011 while splitting time between shortstop and second base. The 32-year-old stole just four bases in 10 attempts last season after reaching double-digits in steals in each of the previous six seasons."
Rays remain optimistic of filling DH, first base openings
January 8
St. Petersburg Times
 
"What the Rays will do to improve their offense is a burning mystery, as they continue looking for a first baseman and DH. "We're having a lot of conversations on both the trade front and also with free agents,'' executive VP Andrew Friedman said Saturday. "I'm confident that we're going to end up with two hitters that will complement our existing offense and fit in very well.'' Thus? If they're going to complement the "existing offense,'' that would imply they're not looking to trade CF B.J. Upton or any other regular. And as much as they're looking, it seems they wouldn't settle on bringing back DH Johnny Damon and 1B Casey Kotchman (though one could return pending how they fill the other"
Stadium issue heading up for Rays
January 8
Tampa Tribune
 
"Rays owner Stuart Sternberg said baseball commissioner Bud Selig and the owners of the 29 other teams have turned up the volume this offseason concerning the club's stadium issue. "There was a lot to deal with (this offseason) with Major League Baseball questioning how we're going about things here; not so much running it but just what the future holds," Sternberg said. "And I anticipated that to be an issue." During a radio interview in October, Selig had this to say about the Rays' attendance: "They are a wonderful organization, produced a terrific team this year and finished last in the American League in attendance. "I'll let you draw your own conclusion. That's bad." When asked by"
Rays still weighing options at DH, 1B
January 7
Tampa Tribune
 
"There are plenty of players available to fill the Rays needs at first base and designated hitter. Names like Vladimir Guerrero and Hideki Matsui for DH. Names like Carlos Peña and Derrek Lee for first base. Names like Johnny Damon and Casey Kotchman, if the Rays want to resign a couple of key components from a team that won 91 games last season, made up nine games in the standings during September and edged the Red Sox for the American League Wild Card on the final night of the regular season. Rays vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman won't say much about his progress toward filling those spots, other than to say there are more than a few scenarios in the works and he's"
St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster, Tampa Bay Rays owner to discuss team's future
January 6
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Mayor Bill Foster and Tampa Bay Rays owner Stuart Sternberg will meet Jan. 17, breaking several months of silence between the two people with the most control over the club's future at Tropicana Field. Foster said Thursday he called Sternberg in December and arranged the meeting. It will be held in St. Petersburg, but Foster wouldn't reveal a specific location or the scope of the meeting. "We're just going to have a very candid and conversant and cordial meeting," Foster said. "Contrary to popular belief, we do talk." Not often enough, according to City Council Chairwoman Leslie Curran, who pushed Foster last year to play a more active role in dealing with the Rays. "It's about time,""
Evan Longoria on Twitter trade talk: 'Completely false'
December 30
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Tampa Bay Rays All-Star 3B Evan Longoria on Thursday firmly dismissed a Twitter report that he was "disgruntled" by the Rays financial situation and "would welcome" a trade. "I don't have any idea where that rumor came from! It's completely false,'' Longoria told the Times via text. "I've said from the start I love Tampa, I love the direction we are heading as a franchise and there is no better place for me to continue to grow as a player and person.'' The Twitter account @MLBInsideNews first reported Monday that Longoria was unhappy and has perpetuated the report throughout the week, citing the accuracy of its information on other MLB stories, such as Albert Pujols heading to the Angels."
Report: Rays may be interested in Posada
December 26
MLB.com
 
"The Tampa Bay Rays appear to have interest in signing free-agent catcher/designated hitter Jorge Posada, according to a report from ESPN Deportes. Posada could serve as a backup at first base, DH and catcher, the story states, which potentially would give the Rays a 36-year-old starting catcher in Jose Molina and a 40-year-old reserve in Posada. During the 2011 season, the final year of a four-year, $52.4 million deal with the Yankees, Posada played just six innings behind the plate."
Cross Cincinnati Reds off list of potential Tampa Bay Rays trade partners after deal with San Diego Padres
December 18
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The market for the Rays to trade one of their starters was reshaped and potentially redefined Saturday when the Reds paid a hefty price — four players, including promising first baseman Yonder Alonso — to acquire right-hander Mat Latos from San Diego. The deal, which also includes catcher Yasmani Grandal, starter Edinson Volquez and relief prospect Brad Boxberger, takes the Reds off the Rays' list of potential trade partners. But it could put the Padres in play. They now have two young, powerful first basemen in Alonso and Anthony Rizzo, and are likely to trade one. Because it's likely the Rays already discussed Alonso, a right-hander who is better with his bat than glove, in talks with"
Report: Rangers interested in Brewers' Casey McGehee, Rays' Wade Davis
December 11
Dallas Morning News
 
"Though the winter meetings are over, the Rangers are still looking at options in Milwaukee and Tampa to improve their club, according to the New York Post. With the signing of free-agent Prince Fielder unlikely according to the report, the Rangers might pursue the Brewers' Casey McGehee, making a trade of Mitch Moreland to the Rays for pitcher Wade Davis more likely."
Rays make no deals but take plenty of notes at winter meetings
December 9
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays left the winter meetings without making any deals but with a better sense of what is realistic as they seek to fill holes at first base and DH, and seek to improve their offense and bullpen depth. "It was a productive week for us from an information-gathering standpoint," executive VP Andrew Friedman said. "We feel like we're in a better position to understand the lay of the land and to narrow down the scope for kind of which domino we expect to go first. "So there was a lot of productive internal and external conversations that I think are going to play a very pivotal role in the next month as we go about constructing our 25-man roster." Most of their talks involved trading"
As expected, Friedman staying with Rays
December 6
Tampa Tribune
 
"The first day of baseball's annual winter meetings brought an end to one rumor surrounding the Rays, gave life to another and brought about some news on manager Joe Maddon's contract status. Andrew Friedman is not leaving the organization. The Rays have interest free agent Josh Willingham as a designated hitter. Maddon said he and Friedman have talked about extending Maddon's contract, which expires after the 2012 season. "We've been briefly talking a little bit, but I'm really not concerned about that. I'm sure it's all going to be worked out," Maddon said during his turn in front of the media at the Hilton Anatole Dallas, the site of this week's meetings and rumor swap show."
Manny Ramirez hoping to return to majors, files for reinstatement
December 5
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Manny Ramirez's career appeared to end in disgrace in April when he retired from the Rays in the face of a 100-game suspension for a second failed drug test. But as baseball's winter meetings get under way today, Ramirez is making a bid to get back in the game, filing for reinstatement under a negotiated deal that would reduce his ban to 50 games. The Rays are not expected to be interested this time around. Ramirez, 39, hit just .059 (1-for-17) in five games for the Rays before the news broke, and his departure caused what appeared to be a major void in their lineup, coming a few days after 3B Evan Longoria was injured."
Manny seeks return to major leagues
December 4
Foxsports.com
 
"On the same weekend Pedro Martinez announced his intention to retire, one of his most colorful and controversial teammates has decided to make a comeback. Manny Ramirez, who retired in April following a second violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, plans to resume his playing career, a major-league source told FOXSports.com. Ramirez has hired Barry Praver and Scott Shapiro as his agents and has applied for reinstatement from MLB's voluntary retired list, the source said."
Rays' search for offense may begin at winter meetings
December 4
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays insist they don't put any greater emphasis on getting deals done at the annual baseball winter meetings, which open today in Dallas. They've actually made trades at each of the past four get-togethers — ditching Elijah Dukes in '07, getting Matt Joyce in '08 and Rafael Soriano in '09, agreeing to the Jason Bartlett deal last year — but tend to let the market, especially for free agents, play out a bit before doing the bulk of their business. At some point in the next few days or weeks or months, however, they're going to have to make at least a couple of tough decisions. While executive VP Andrew Friedman keeps saying it's possible they will bring back both DH Johnny Damon and 1B"
Price will be high for acquiring offensive help
December 4
Tampa Tribune
 
"The one thing Andrew Friedman was certain on heading into the offseason was this: He expected to receive a lot of calls from general managers searching for starting pitching. And Friedman said he has. A lot. Most teams are looking to bolster their rotations. The Rays are among the few teams with the enviable position of having a set rotation at the major league level plus a pair of rookies waiting in the wings. Friedman's goal this winter is to find offense, and one way toward that end would be to deal from a position of strength. But Friedman, the Rays vice president of baseball operations, doesn't sound too eager to part with a starting pitcher. "We're certainly not flippant about the"
Executive vice president Andrew Friedman previews the Tampa Bay Rays' offseason
December 2
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Andrew Friedman prefers to reveal as little as possible about the Rays' offseason plans, his theory being there's little benefit in sharing information. Much of what the executive vice president did say Thursday in advance of next week's winter meetings was the obvious: Their primary needs are at DH, first base and for another reliever or two; they've already received considerable interest in their surplus of starting pitchers; their goal is to improve their offense without weakening their defense; they expect to be active in both trade and free agent deals. But he did provide some insight: • They're not driven to trade any of their eight starting pitchers, but if they do, it more likely"
Rays' Friedman says Damon, Kotchman 'in play'
December 2
Tampa Tribune
 
"Tampa Bay Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said free agents Casey Kotchman and Johnny Damon are "very much in the discussion" when it comes to the 2012 season. Whether one or both return depends on a number of factors, which include offers each might receive from other teams and the chances of the Rays upgrading offensively at one or both positions. "We won 91 games last year with both those guys playing a key role," Friedman said Thursday during a pre-winter meetings news conference at Tropicana Field. "They're both very much in play in a combination or as a one depending how everything else evolves both for them and for us." Kotchman hit a career-high"
Astros receive permission to interview Rays GM Friedman
November 29
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Astros have received permission to interview Tampa Bay Rays general manager Andrew Friedman, according to officials with knowledge of the organization's thinking. Although the club has asked to interview "a handful" of others, Friedman clearly is the No. 1 choice to replace Ed Wade. Among others believed to be under consideration were two Texas Rangers executives, Thad Levine and A.J. Preller. However, former Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker apparently will not be interviewed for the job."
Rays sign ex-Jay Molina
November 29
Toronto Sun
 
"The Tampa Bay Rays officially announced the signing Monday of free-agent catcher Jose Molina to a one-year contract. Molina, 36, appeared in 55 games for the Toronto Blue Jays last season and hit .281 with three home runs and 15 RBI. His biggest strength, though, is defence. Since 2008, Molina has been the majors' toughest catcher to steal against (minimum 200 games), nailing 62 of 170 runners (36.5%)."
Rays close to deal with catcher Jose Molina
November 20
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays appear to have crossed one thing off their offseason checklist, as they're reportedly close to a deal with free agent C Jose Molina. If and when the deal becomes official, possibly this week, it's a move that would make sense for Tampa Bay. Molina, 36, has been a backup primarily during his 12-year career, but he fits well with the kind of catching platoon the Rays desire. He's very strong defensively, ranking fourth among active catchers by throwing out 40 percent of attempted basestealers. He handles pitching staffs well, which is important with the Rays' prized rotation. Molina has a wealth of experience in the American League East, having played for the Yankees and Blue Jays"
Rays hold the line on 2012 ticket prices
November 9
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Tampa Bay Rays announced Tuesday that 90 percent of 2012 ticket prices will be the same or lower than 2011 prices. Also, all weeknight games will start at 7:10. The prices for lower box and outfield seats will increase by $1 or $2 for a select number of games, while upper deck seats remain $9 for 28 select games as the team makes more than 1 million tickets available for $25 or less over the course of the 81-game home schedule."
Free agents Johnny Damon and Casey Kotchman could be potential fits for Tampa Bay Rays
November 5
St. Petersburg Times
 
"With the free agency period starting last week, the Rays have been working on figuring out what potential pieces could be added. Whether it's through a signing or trade, improving the offense is likely a focus, as well as adding a bullpen arm or two. But in looking at some of the positions the Rays have to address (designated hitter and first base), two potential fits could be their own free agents, DH Johnny Damon and 1B Casey Kotchman. Damon, who turns 38 today, was expected to man leftfield last season after signing a one-year $5.25 million deal. But he ended up performing well at DH (hitting .261 with 16 homers and 75 RBI), replacing retired Manny Ramirez while providing excellent"
Rays pickup options on Shields, Farnsworth but not Shoppach
November 1
Tampa Tribune
 
"As expected, the Rays picked up the options on James Shields and Kyle Farnsworth and declined the option on Kelly Shoppach, paying the catcher a $300,000 buyout. "I'm glad the waiting is over," Shields said. "I had a feeling they were going to pick it up, but it's good to know." Shields, whose career-season included a career-high 16 wins, a major league-leading 11 complete games and four shutouts, tied for the most in the AL, will make $7.5 million in 2012."
Rays have to decide soon whether to pick up options on three players
October 30
St. Petersburg Times
 
"With the wild World Series finally over, the Rays have some key decisions to make in the next few days. By midnight Monday, Tampa Bay will have to either pick up options on RHP James Shields ($7.5 million), RHP Kyle Farnsworth ($3.3 million) and C Kelly Shoppach ($3.2 million) or buy them out and allow them to be free agents. Not all of them are clear-cut. Here's a breakdown. • Shields: This one would seem like the no-brainer of the three. The 29-year-old is coming off a remarkable bounceback season in which he made his first All-Star team, racked up a major-league-high 11 complete games and set career highs in wins (16), strikeouts (225) and innings (249?). While his option could escalate"
St. Pete mayor will meet with Rays owner
October 28
Tampa Tribune
 
"Mayor Bill Foster and the St. Petersburg City Council started hashing out a sometimes testy issue: whether or not to break the stalemate with the Tampa Bay Rays and start talking about the team's contract at Tropicana Field. The Council seems split on the issue. Some members want to engage the Rays proactively and others want to wait for the team to make the first move. Even where and when to meet with the team is up for debate. Foster on Thursday said he will sit down with Tampa Bay Rays managing partner Stuart Sternberg after the World Series, but he questions whether it is a city's role to sell tickets for a baseball team. Foster revealed that he spoke cordially with Sternberg after the"
James Shields: "I believe I'm going to be back"
October 28
St. Petersburg Times
 
"RHP James Shields, speaking on 620-WDAE Thursday afternoon, sounded hopeful the Rays will pick up his $7.5 million option for the 2012 season. Teams are likely to announce picking up options following the World Series. Tampa Bay can buy out Shields for $2 million. "I believe I'm going to be back next year, and I think (executive VP Andrew) Friedman feels the same way," Shields said. "Obviously there's a lot of offseason to go. As far as my opinion, I believe I'm going to be back. But it's a business and you never know what's going to happen. As far as I'm concerned, I want to be back, I definitely want to be part of the team.""
Andrew Friedman may be unwilling to leave Tampa Bay for Angels
October 25
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Angels remain highly interested in Tampa Bay General Manager Andrew Friedman, but their chances of luring the 34-year-old executive away from the Rays are slim, according to people familiar with the team's GM search who are not authorized to speak publicly on the topic. Owner Arte Moreno and team president John Carpino met last week in Florida with Friedman, who has helped build the small-market Rays into perennial playoff contenders despite extremely limited resources — their $42-million payroll this season was less than one-third of the $142 million the Angels spent on players. Friedman appears to be the favored candidate to replace Tony Reagins, who was fired as GM two days after"
Regardless of what happens, memories have been made
September 30
Tampa Tribune
 
"The celebration was winding down in the Rays' clubhouse early Thursday morning — very, very early. The smell of champagne-saturated clothing and hair filled the room and shouts of jubilation had given way to looks of quiet satisfaction. Off to the side, his shirt soaked with the excess of success, Andrew Friedman had a dazed smile as he tried to explain what everyone had just seen but still couldn't really process. As the Rays' executive vice president, he had helped build the team that rallied from seven runs down in the eighth inning and eventually beat the New York Yankees, 8-7, to qualify for the American League playoffs."
Rays pick rookie Matt Moore to start Game 1 of ALDS
September 30
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Of course they are. In picking among three potential starters for today's opening game of the best-of-five AL Division Series, the Rays made the most unconventional and boldest choice, selecting 22-year-old left-hander Matt Moore for what will be the fourth appearance and second start of his 2½-week major-league career. "I don't think we have qualms about doing anything," manager Joe Maddon said. The Rays didn't announce the decision until nearly 9 p.m. Thursday, bypassing 11-game winner Wade Davis, who will go to the bullpen, and Jeff Niemann, who has been pulled early from his past two starts."
Longoria's heroics lift Rays to postseason berth
September 29
Tampa Tribune
 
"Evan Longoria heard the roar go through the Tropicana Field crowd. Odd, he thought, since nothing was really happening on the field other than his battle with Yankee pitcher Scott Proctor and even that wasn't particularly exciting. Oh, yeah, the out-of-town scoreboard. It showed the Red Sox had just lost to the Orioles, meaning a Tampa Bay Rays victory would send them back to the playoffs as the American League wild-card. At that point, Longoria said he just wanted to get on base, score the winning run. Moments later, he was watching his line drive sail over the short fence down the left-field line for the home run that capped an incredible comeback in the final game of an improbable"
Matt Moore to make first major-league start tonight for Tampa Bay Rays
September 22
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Rookie phenom LHP Matt Moore makes his first big-league start tonight against the Yankees. RHP Jeff Niemann was scheduled to start, but he was "abnormally stiff or sore" after his last game and has been pushed back to Saturday against the Jays, manager Joe Maddon said. Moore, 22, has pitched twice in relief since his callup, including an impressive three-inning stint Saturday in Boston. He was 12-3, 1.92 in 27 starts for Double-A Montgomery (including a no-hitter) and Triple-A Durham, with 210 strikeouts in 155 innings. "I'm looking forward to it,'' Moore said. "I'm going to do my best to take (the day) and my pregame the same as I always have. It's a mound, and it's 60 feet, 6 inches"
Still a Ray of hope
September 22
Boston Herald
 
"If the freefalling Red Sox live to see the playoffs — amazingly, they're still running at the head of the wild card race — they can thank the New York Yankees. How's that for irony? Before and after the Sox sent their surest thing, ace right-hander Josh Beckett, to the mound and absorbed yet another gut-punch, 6-4, from the bottom-feeding Baltimore Orioles last night in the regular-season finale at Fenway Park [map], the Yankees stormed back to win a pair of 4-2 decisions against the Tampa Bay Rays. That's what qualifies as good news in the Red Sox clubhouse these days. "We're basically just keeping pace right now," Beckett said. "We've been pretty fortunate (the Rays) are playing who they"
Tampa Bay Rays' David Price no longer sore, will start Friday as scheduled
September 21
St. Petersburg Times
 
"A slight disruption in routine is apparently LHP David Price's only lingering issue from being struck in the chest by a line drive Sunday. Price said he was no longer sore, and he lifted his shirt to show that what had been a nasty bruise featuring the laces of the baseball was down to a few red dots. Most important for the Rays, he said he was set to make his next start as scheduled on Friday. "It was just more scary than anything else, I'm sure," Price said. "I'm all good now." Price normally would have thrown his between-starts bullpen session Tuesday. But since he didn't do any postgame arm exercises Sunday (he was the hospital getting a CAT scan, EKG and a series of X-rays) and didn't"
Rays pitcher David Price "fine" after taking line drive off chest
September 19
St. Petersburg Times
 
"LHP David Price got a big scare, a bruise on his chest and an afternoon visit to Massachusetts General Hospital after being struck by a third-inning line drive. He, and the Rays, were thankful it wasn't worse. And that, according to manager Joe Maddon, he is expected to make his next start, either Friday or Saturday against Toronto. "I'm fine," Price said in comments relayed by the team. "I'm just glad it didn't hit me in the head. … The bullpen guys did a great job. I was watching on my phone while I was laying in bed at the hospital." Price was put through a series of undisclosed tests, which all were negative, Maddon said. He didn't return to Fenway Park, meeting the team at the train"
Three days later, Tampa Bay Rays' chances seem very real for shot at playoffs
September 12
St. Petersburg Times
 columnist John Romano
"Numbers still favor the Red Sox at this point. Of course, the numbers aren't staring at Josh Beckett's tender ankle or Erik Bedard's sore knee. And the numbers have nothing on the medical chart (back sprain, sports hernia, hip bursitis) of Boston third baseman Kevin Youkilis. Logic says the Red Sox are still in an enviable position this morning. Of course, logic knows nothing of damp palms or nervous laughter. And logic cannot explain the increasing tightness of a pair of underpants when your lead in the wild-card race goes from nine games to 3½ in a little more than a week. "Hopefully," Rays DH Johnny Damon said, "they can feel us coming." Just three days ago, I tried explaining why it"
More time for Tampa Bay Rays catcher Jose Lobaton means less for Kelly Shoppach
September 7
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Rays manager Joe Maddon has talked about taking an extended look at C Jose Lobaton, considering he could figure big in the team's plans for next season. "Going into next year, he'd definitely be a candidate," Maddon said. "And that's why it's vital we see him right now." But Maddon acknowledged Monday that Lobaton's playing time will come at the expense of veteran C Kelly Shoppach, who will be used primarily off the bench as the Rays go with a catching rotation of switch-hitting Lobaton and John Jaso. Maddon said he talked with Shoppach about it and he handled it "great." "He understood," Maddon said. Shoppach declined to comment. Shoppach, 31, has struggled offensively in his two years"
Tampa Bay Rays to take extended look at catcher Jose Lobaton
September 3
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Considering C Jose Lobaton's first stint in the big leagues this season lasted just four at-bats and he had to wait more than a month and a half to come back, he's eager to make up for lost time. Lobaton, who suffered a left knee sprain during his first start July 18 and landed on the disabled list, was activated Friday and started, going 1-for-3, including a double in his first at-bat. And it appears Lobaton, 26, will play often in the final month, with manager Joe Maddon saying the Rays want to get an extended look at him with eyes toward next year. "The good thing right now is I'm back and I'm ready and I'm excited," Lobaton said. "I want to play; I want to show everybody that I'm ready"
Tampa Bay Rays: Evan Longoria looking for date with SpongeBob; Johnny Damon nears power-speed milestone
September 1
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Just the usual Longoria/SpongeBob note of the day: 3B Evan Longoria is looking for support in his latest campaign: to be in the "lineup" against SpongeBob and other cartoon characters for the Sept. 13 "Showdown" game, part of the promo effort for the Nicktoons MLB video game. Voting runs through Sept. 7 at 2KPlayball.com."