Rays Trade Rumors

"The Rays may get RHP Evan Meek back in their system after the Pirates designated him for assignment Sunday. Pittsburgh selected Meek, who turns 25 next week, from Tampa Bay in the Rule 5 draft in December. He made nine appearances for the Pirates, posting a 6.92 ERA in 13 innings as he walked 12 and struck out seven. Another team could claim Meek off waivers and would have to keep him in the majors the rest of the season or offer him back to the Rays, or the Pirates could work out a trade with the Rays that would allow them to retain Meek and send him to the minors."

"The Pirates are not necessarily through with reliever Evan Meek. Although there are plenty of unusual circumstances related to Rule 5 draft picks, there is a palpable feeling among management that he could remain in the system, provided a few elements play out. When a Rule 5 claim is designated for assignment, as Meek was yesterday morning, he must clear 48-hour waivers. If that happens in this case, the Pirates can offer Meek back to Tampa Bay for half the original claiming price of $50,000 or work out a trade to keep him. The latter scenario sounded most likely yesterday."

"Rays scouting director R.J. Harrison spent Thursday night at his home in Phoenix, and that in itself was somewhat newsworthy. By Harrison's count, he might spend only two more nights in his own bed before baseball's first-year player draft, which is June 5-6 at Disney's Wide World of Sports. This is the stretch run for Harrison and his staff of area scouts and national cross-checkers, as lists are narrowed and evaluations get more pointed in the final weeks before the Rays make someone a very rich man."

"And so we gather to mourn the streak. Nice ride, wasn't it? On the other hand, were you really ready for all of those "What the Heck, Let's Build the Darn Stadium'' signs that were about to be scattered across the lawns of your neighborhood? Another series sweep by the Rays, by golly, and the fans would have demanded to vote now. Wouldn't they? Another six straight wins, and they would have thrown in a parking garage. Maybe two. Another 10 in a row, and fans might have rushed to Al Lang with their own saws and hammers, like the great barn-raising scene in the movie Witness. Then again, perhaps they wouldn't have."

"Mayor Rick Baker is recommending that the city open negotiations with two of three developers that submitted bids to remake Tropicana Field into a massive mixed-use community. On Thursday, Baker will ask the city council to authorize talks with Archstone-Madison of Arlington, Va., and Houston-based Hines Interests. The council would select the winning developer at a meeting June 5. That also is when council members are expected to decide whether to give initial approval for a November voter referendum on a new downtown ballpark."

"LHP Scott Kazmir will be limited to 85 pitches tonight at Durham in his final rehab start, according to Maddon. The Rays apparently are planning to announce on Tuesday which day Kazmir will start. It is expected to be Sunday, to better keep the rest of the rotation in line."

"Frank Thomas's career as a Toronto Blue Jay ended quietly yesterday morning after a closed-door meeting with GM J.P. Ricciardi... The veteran star, who was mired in an early season slump, will be paid the full remainder of what he's owed on his $8 million (U.S.) 2008 salary. He is now free to sign with another team. Rumoured favourites to procure his services include Seattle, Tampa Bay and Oakland."

"Upton is another young guy the Rays plan to build around - there was a reason they kept him and were willing to part with Delmon Young - but he didn't sound like he expects to be the next to test the limits of owner Stuart Sternberg's bank account. He has other priorities at the moment."

"When it comes to the possibility of picking up a player or two later this season, Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg said all options remain on the table."

"Top Rays officials virtually pride themselves in not committing to any kind of payroll level, ceiling, floor or window, insisting they are, and always shall be, willing and able to adjust to what's best for the team."

"Carl Crawford isn't feeling any sense of urgency to seek out a new contract with the Rays, but he has no desire to leave Tampa Bay, either. The day after the Rays picked up their 2009 option on him, guaranteeing him $8.25 million next season, Crawford said he's "taking it year-to-year," but "most definitely I would like to stay here with the Rays; this is the only organization I know.""

"General Manager Ned Colletti has been speaking to other clubs about possible trades, targeting players with short and inexpensive contracts for what they expect to be short-term replacement duty. They are believed to be interested in Philadelphia's Wes Helms. Tampa Bay's Eric Hinske is also reportedly on the market."

"The Rays still have 42 players officially in camp, a number that includes the absent Juan Salas and injured players Rocco Baldelli and Brian Anderson. The Rays also are carrying two pitchers who haven't seen game action in more than a week because of injuries, Chad Orvella and Kurt Birkins. There are other matters to be sorted out, but Longoria's status remains at the forefront. "

"With opening day a week from today, the Rays still have a lot of work to do in finalizing their roster. Though some decisions could be made in the next couple of days, trade talks and injuries further complicate the process...Two interesting outfielders who recently became available are Reed Johnson (released by Toronto) and Jeff DaVanon (released by the Padres). DaVannon, 34, has experience with Maddon with the Angels."

"The Angels could deal either Juan Rivera or Reggie Willits. In Boston, Coco Crisp won't be an everyday player after the emergence of Jacoby Ellsbury. But Crisp is banged up, and two other outfielders who might otherwise be good fits for the Rays - Toronto's Reed Johnson and Cincinnati's Ryan Freel - have had trouble staying healthy at times."

"Some free-agent options are available, such as Kenny Lofton and, of course, Barry Bonds. But the Rays seem more likely to first explore trade possibilities, with names to keep in mind including Dave Dellucci (Indians), Gabe Gross (Brewers), Skip Schumaker (Cardinals), Reggie Willits (Angels) and, less likely, Reed Johnson (Blue Jays)."

"Manager Joe Maddon said Saturday that the Rays need to know something definitive in the next week about the availability of OF Rocco Baldelli. That's important for this season, as the Rays have to have an idea of when, how often and in what role he can contribute, and whether they may need to seek another frontline outfielder from outside the organization (Kenny Lofton?). "

"The Rays have made no secret of the fact that if Baldelli can't go, they'd consider going outside the organization for outfield help. Among their potential targets is free-agent Kenny Lofton, 41, who negotiated briefly last month with the Reds and is believed to be on the Mets' radar with LF Moises Alou out until mid-April following hernia surgery."

"The Rays think they have a chance to be taken seriously this year, with or without Bonds, but it would be fun to see him battle the Yankees in New York and the Red Sox in Boston. Where else could Bonds fit? Cleveland, but only if the Indians were willing to play him in left field. The Los Angeles Angels, although he would have to rotate in and out of the lineup if Vlad Guerrero, Garret Anderson and Gary Matthews Jr. are all healthy. Minnesota, but there's no way owner Carl Pohlad would pay him. The best fit of all for Bonds could be in Atlanta, however, with a hole in left field and Bobby Cox to keep him in line."

"Just when it seemed baseball was finally rid of Barry Bonds and the terrible blight he has brought upon the game, comes the report in the St. Petersburg Times Monday of internal discussions the Tampa Bay Rays have had recently about the counterfeit all-time home run king."

"There has been no formal offer, actual wooing or even public displays of affection. But the Rays seem to have at least an eye on Barry Bonds, and team officials have recently talked internally about the all-time home run king who has been at the center of the steroids controversy."

"And while anything can happen and situations change by the day, at the moment the odd man out appears to be Wes Helms... Here's a look at the (short) list of clubs that might be in the mood to add a third baseman before Opening Day..."

"Last week's seven-year potentially $44-million contract with James Shields sent a number of messages: that the Rays will spend money, that they'll take care of their own, even that they're serious about winning. But what message did it send to Kazmir, the young ace whom they'd like to sign long term? "

"Though Kazmir wasn't swayed enough to sign a long-term deal yet, with free agency still three years away he remains open to the possibility... There have been talks about signing free-agent (and ex-Ray) lefty reliever Trever Miller, but length of contract remains an issue."

"His team made a statement on that front Friday, signing first baseman Carlos Pena to a three-year deal worth $24.125 million that represents one of the most significant investments the franchise has ever made. Also, Kazmir agreed to a one-year, $3.785 million deal just before the team's deadline to cut off negotiations, avoiding a potentially divisive salary arbitration hearing. To top it all off, people familiar with the negotiations said the Rays are in discussions with right-hander James Shields about a multiyear deal that would cover at least five seasons, including potential option years. "

"By giving more than $24-million over three years to Carlos Pena and going up to nearly $4-million for a one-year, arbitration-avoiding deal with Scott Kazmir, the Rays on Friday put two of their best players under contract for the upcoming season... Principal owner Stuart Sternberg said these deals and others, such as an in-the-works long-term contract for starter James Shields, should prove the sincerity of his efforts to win since taking over in October 2005."

"Though nothing was finalized Wednesday night, a person familiar with the negotiations indicated the Rays were close to wrapping up a one-year contract with outfielder Jonny Gomes that would pay him about $1.25 million in 2008."

"The Rays were working out final details of a one-year contract with outfielder/DH Jonny Gomes on Wednesday night and remain hopeful of striking deals with left-hander Scott Kazmir and first baseman Carlos Pena before the noon Friday deadline."

"Tampa Bay has had talks with the Atlanta Braves about a trade involving 24-year-old infielder Willy Aybar, a switch-hitter with a checkered past. Aybar's off-the-field issues, most notably a stint in a substance-abuse rehabilitation program that wiped out most of his 2007 season, could be an impediment."

"The Edwin Jackson to Seattle rumors won't die, but there still seems to be little substance to the idea of sending him to the Mariners."

"Even though he is entering his first year of arbitration eligibility, there's already talk that Scott Kazmir's days as a Ray are numbered...In an age in which finding quality starting pitching is hard and keeping it more difficult, the Rays - who don't comment on contract negotiations - might be wise to go to the bargaining table and work out a long-term deal with Kazmir. Here's the glitch. The Rays explored the possibility last year, but nothing developed."

"In these parts, where fans are used to the Rays sitting back and watching while other teams reload, that's a lot of activity, though they still need a superutility infielder and a left-handed reliever. And the Rays say the best deals might be yet to come. "We definitely don't have our feet up," executive vice president Andrew Friedman said. "We accomplished a good number of the things we laid out that we wanted to do. We still have a lot more we'd like to do both internally and externally."

"As they look forward to spring training, the Rays have narrowed their shopping list down to a couple of areas of need. They still could use a left-handed reliever, but the pickings are extremely slim - Jeremy Affeldt and Trever Miller are about all that's left on the free-agent market. They also are after a super-utility player capable of playing third base and first base (Morgan Ensberg? Corey Koskie? Jeff Cirillo?)."

"The Rays may be close to filling their need for a left-handed-hitting outfielder. Tampa Bay is in serious discussions with free agent Cliff Floyd to fill that role, a person familiar with the talks confirmed Wednesday. Though negotiations are not quite to the final stages, a deal could be completed within the next couple of days."

"Left-handed hitter Ben Broussard, who could play a corner outfield position and DH, is an outside possibility if Seattle nontenders him. The Rays are not interested in catcher Miguel Olivo, who is expected to be nontendered by the Marlins but at age 29 would not fit into Tampa Bay's plans. The Rays face a decision on whether to offer a contract to right-handed reliever Grant Balfour, who is in his first year of arbitration eligibility. Balfour's role became less prominent with the signing of closer Troy Percival and the reshuffling of late-inning roles. "

"They've added a closer, a frontline shortstop and a No. 3 starter, but the Rays have more work to do. In addition to a left-handed hitting outfielder to at least platoon in rightfield, they need a third baseman (for a couple months anyway, as it seems less likely prospect Evan Longoria will be the opening day starter) and a lefty reliever. If they can afford to do more after that, a veteran catcher. "

"A reliever of interest may be Katsuhiko Maekawa, a 29-year-old Japanese lefty who is 2-1, 1.82 in the Dominican. "

"Agent Scott Boras said he doesn't expect 1B Carlos Pena to get a multiyear deal from the Rays this offseason. Boras told the Tribune early Thursday that he expects to go through the usual arbitration process with Pena, who made $1.2 million in 2007 and can't become a free agent until after the 2009 season."

"At the top of the list may be OF Andre Ethier, a 25-year-old whom the Dodgers are now open to trade after their late Wednesday signing of Andruw Jones (two years, $36.2-million)."

"Don’t expect Carlos Pena to sign a long-term deal with the Rays this winter. His agent certainly doesn’t sound like he expects that to happen. Scott Boras predicted tonight that Pena and the Rays will settle on a one-year contract for 2008, whether it comes through the arbitration process or is agreed to ahead of time. "

"One realistic possibility talked about in the Opryland hotel was OF Luke Scott, who could be acquired from Houston. Others that came up and are unlikely include free agent Luis Gonzalez, a Tampa native; ex-Ray Josh Hamilton, who is being shopped by the Reds; and Laynce Nix, who was designated for assignment by Milwaukee."

"The Rays may have one more move up their sleeve before the winter meetings come to an end today. There were indications Wednesday that Tampa Bay was close to making another deal, but nothing official came down the pipe after another day of discussions that included some previously unforeseen possibilities."

"Infielder Clint Barmes has drawn attention from Tampa Bay, the Cubs, St. Louis and Texas, but no firm offers have been made. Houston indicated no interest in a Barmes-for- Chris Burke proposal the Rockies made."

"Tampa Bay remains firmly in the mix for free-agent LHP Ron Mahay, who has narrowed his list of serious suitors to the Rays, Yankees, Royals, Giants and Astros. Mahay, 36, split last season between Texas and Atlanta. He probably will command a contract along the lines of the three-year, $12 million deal J.C. Romero got from the Phillies last month."

"Free agent Rob Mackowiak is a candidate for a super-utility job. Mackowiak, 31, spent last season with the White Sox and Padres, has a career .262 average with some power and can play the outfield plus first, second and third."

"Among the free agents, the most likely candidates appear to include Geoff Jenkins, Darin Erstad and Brad Wilkerson. ESPN.com reported the Rays met with Jenkins' agent Monday and there has been considerable buzz around the other two names. As for trade possibilities, the Astros' Luke Scott reportedly is likely to be moved and might be a good fit."

"Though seeking to strengthen their rotation, the Rays would consider dealing a starter. There were reports out of Seattle that the Mariners covet Edwin Jackson and suggesting the Rays would have interest in 1B/DH Ben Broussard. But indications are the teams haven't talked and that the Rays wouldn't have much interest in Broussard, who could be nontendered if the M's can't deal Richie Sexson."

" Aaron Rowand's camp has been saying it has received a five-year offer, but the Sox are not believed to be that team. Not yet, at least. Dreams of Tampa Bay outfielder Carl Crawford playing on the South Side have been dashed, with the Rays making it known that Crawford is no longer on the trade market."

"Seattle has been linked to trade rumors involving several pitchers, among them Sheets, Indians starter Cliff Lee, Cubs pitcher Mark Prior and Edwin Jackson of the Devil Rays. The Brewers are in need of a young catcher and relief pitching; the Mariners have both, though it's unclear how serious Milwaukee is about moving Sheets."

"While Sunday was quiet in advance of the official opening of the meetings, there was news that could affect the Sox more than the Cubs. It now appears Tampa Bay has taken left fielder Carl Crawford off the market after dealing Delmon Young to Minnesota, according to one source. And the Red Sox are on hold with Coco Crisp, pending a possible deal for Minnesota pitcher Johan Santana. Crisp could be included in a multiplayer trade with the Twins, or he might stay in Boston if the Red Sox include Jacoby Ellsbury."