Rays Hire Former Yankee Pitching Coach Eiland

The Rays have been all quiet on the Free Agent front lately but fear not because they have made a signing, albeit for the front office and not the diamond.

The Rays made it official today as they signed former Yankee pitching coach, Dave Eiland to serve as a special assistant to GM Andrew Friedman. According to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times, Eiland will “lend support in the areas of player development, professional scouting and amateur scouting”

Eiland served as the New York Yankees' pitching coach for the last three seasons and was dismissed following the 2010 campaign. Along with his coaching experience, and AL East pedigree, Eiland brings 10 years of major league pitching experience to the Rays including a three-year stint with the then-Devil Rays during the 1998-2000 seasons.

Rays Deal Bartlett Plus Player To Be Named To San Diego For Four Players

St. Petersburg, FL (Sports Network) – The Tampa Bay Rays announced Friday that they have finalized a deal that will send shortstop Jason Bartlett to the San Diego Padres for four players.

In the trade, the Rays acquired pitchers Adam Russell, Cesar Ramos and Brandon Gomes, as well as infielder Cole Figueroa.

The Padres will also receive a player to be named later from Tampa Bay.

It was no secret that the Rays were trying to deal the 31-year-old Bartlett, who is eligible to become a free agent after the 2011 season and was due a raise from the $4 million he received in arbitration a year ago from Tampa.

Bartlett struggled last season, hitting just .254 with four home runs and 47 RBI. His disappointing year was a far cry from a remarkable 2009 campaign that saw him bat .320 with 14 home runs and 66 RBI.

In the right-hander Russell and left-hander Ramos, the Rays get a pair of hurlers who could very well be a part of their 2011 bullpen. Russell appeared in 12 games for the Padres last season and pitched to a 4.02 ERA without recording a decision.

Ramos, a first-round supplemental pick by the Padres in 2005, has worked sparingly in San Diego the past two seasons, appearing in 19 games, two of which have been starts. He is 0-2 with a 6.26 ERA, but has struck out 19 batters in just 23 innings.

Gomes spent all of last season with the Padres Double-A affiliate San Antonio (Texas), while Figueroa has spent three seasons in the Padres’ farm system.

12/17 19:19:28 ET

Lefty Reliever Appeared In 85 Games For Rays In '10

Miami, FL (Sports Network) – The Florida Marlins have signed relief pitcher Randy Choate to a two-year contract.

No terms of the deal were released but MLB.com is reporting the deal will pay the veteran left-hander a total of $2.5 million.

Choate appeared in a career-high 85 games for Tampa Bay last season, compiling a 4-3 record and 4.23 earned run average in 44 2/3 innings.

“We felt adding a second lefty to the bullpen was important,” said president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest. “Randy is experienced and proven against left-handed hitters. Heading into spring training, our bullpen has a different, balanced look.”

He has a career record of 10-10 with a 4.39 ERA and five saves in 342 relief outings during his 10-year career with the Yankees, Diamondbacks and Rays.

12/15 17:40:18 ET

Rays Re-sign J.P. Howell

The Rays made some noise when they non-tendered J.P. Howell early this off-season but both sides were quick to say they were hoping to reach a new agreement and today the Rays made good on that promise, signing the left handed relief pitcher to a deal worth $1.1M plus incentives.

Howell is recovering from left labrum surgery and is unlikely to be ready for opening day, but when healthy he can be a huge factor to a Rays bullpen that will look completely different from a season ago. Howell, who missed all of 2010 with shoulder issues may be the only remaining member of the 2009 pen, as GM Andrew Friedman has to build a new squad from scratch this off-season.

Tampa Bay Rays Roster Changes During Winter Baseball Meetings

Today marks the end of Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings, and players from the Tampa Bay Rays continue to be the topic of many a conversation.

As of right now, Carlos Pena signed with the Chicago Cubs, there are reports Dionner Navarro may be close to a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the big news, Carl Crawford signed a big deal with the Boston Red Sox.

There were also reports that Jason Bartlett got traded to the San Diego Padres, but then the Rays denied it was a done deal. Rumors persist that Matt Garza may also be traded, possibly to the Cubs.

As for who is going to be with the Rays after this week? They signed Dan Johnson to a contract, and picked up minor league pitcher Cesar Cabral from Boston.

As always, to keep up with the very latest with your Tampa Bay Rays, make sure to check with DRaysBay early and often — they are on top of it all.

Carl Crawford signs with the Boston Red Sox

Outstanding outfielder Carl Crawford signed a huge deal with the Boston Red Sox Wednesday. The contract is worth $142 million over 7 years, an average of over $20 million per year. That’s the most ever paid to an outfielder in the history of the game, and the ninth largest contract of all-time.

Given Crawford’s performance in left field and at the plate, he’s obviously worth the money. But the Red Sox home field at Fenway Park has the smallest left field in baseball. As mentioned by Steve Slowinski at DRaysBay, $20M is a lot to give someone who would basically be relaying baseballs after they carom off of a monster of a wall.

Red Sox blogger Ben Buchanan suggests the team will attempt to convince Crawford to move to center field. But Crawford has been reluctant to play center field in the past. We’ll have to see how it pans out.

As for the Tampa Bay Rays, they will get a first round draft pick in exchange for Crawford.

By the way, DRaysBay continues their push to give Crawford a proper send-off. As of late Wednesday night they are still a bit short of their goal in taking an ad out in the paper to thank Crawford for his time here in Tampa Bay.

The deadline for collecting donations is Sunday, so if you have enjoyed watching Crawford play these past nine seasons as a member of the St. Pete nine, go over there and consider chipping in a buck or two.

Looks Like A Done Deal: Carl Crawford To Boston

Around 11:30PM, Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe posted this via Twitter:

Source: The Red Sox have a seven-year, $142 million deal done with Carl Crawford.

 

About five minutes later, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports posted this:

Confirmed: #Red Sox in agreement with Crawford. 7 yrs/142M. First reported by Boston Globe. #Angels #MLB

Followed by this...

Still some guaranteed language to be worked out. And Crawford must pass physical. But deal with #RedSox is that close to being done. #MLB

No official announcements have been made at this time

Rays Will Deal Bartlett To San Diego

Although not officially announced, the Rays have reached an agreement to trade shortstop Jason Bartlett to the San Diego Padres in exchange for relief pitchers Adam Russell and Cesar Ramos.

Cubs Sign Carlos Pena To One Year Deal

Carrie Muskat of MLB.com is reporting via Twitter that the Chicago Cubs have signed Rays free agent first baseman Carlos Pena to a on- year contract, believed to be in the $10 million range. A formal announcement of the signing is expected later today.

Rays Set-Up Man Benoit To Accept Offer From Detroit

Reports indicate that Rays free agent reliever Joaquin Benoit and the Detroit Tigers have agreed to the terms of a three-year contract worth $16.5 million.
After missing the entire 2009 season with a rotator cuff injury, the former Texas Ranger made the most of his comeback opportunity with the Rays in 2010, posting a 1.34 ERA while pitching 60.1 innings in 63 games with 75 strikeouts and only 11 walks, primarily as a set-up man for closer Rafael Soriano.
With Soriano’s departure via free agency being almost a foregone conclusion before the season even ended, it was hoped that the Rays could find a way to keep Benoit and let him assume the closer’s role. Instead, the Rays will have to explore other options in regard to building the bullpen next season.

Silver Slugger Is Latest Accolade For Crawford

Rays outfielder Carl Crawford has been honored for his offensive prowess with the Silver Slugger award. The Silver Slugger is awarded to the most prolific offensive players at each position in each league. It is Crawford’s first time winning the award.

Two Rays Named As Top Fielders

Rays outfielder Carl Crawford and third baseman Evan Longoria have been named 2010 Rawlings Gold Glove award winners. The award recognizes the best fielders at each position in each league. It’s the first time Crawford has won the award. For Longoria, it’s consecutive wins as he won the honor for the first time in his career last year..

Zimmer Will Be Back in '11

The Rays announced today that senior advisor Don Zimmer will be back to fill that role for the team in 2011.

Zimmer, who has spent 52 years in the Major Leagues as a player, coach and manager, announced Thursday that he’ll return for an eighth season as a senior baseball advisor for the Rays. Zimmer, a former All-Star and Manager of the Year, will be in uniform in Spring Training and for pregame practice for all 81 of his team’s home games at Tropicana Field next season.

A resident of nearby Treasure Island, he came to the Rays in 2004 after serving as bench coach under Joe Torre with the New York Yankees.

Rays Now Have 11 Free Agents

The Tampa Bay Rays today decided not to pick up the 2011 options on relief pitcher Dan Wheeler and utilityman Willie Aybar.
Wheeler was due to make $4 million next season, received a $1 million buyout and is now a free agent. Aybar was due to make $2.2 million in 2011, received a $275,000 buyout, remains under the team’s control and is arbitration eligible.
In addition, the Rays purchased the contract of switch-hitting infielder Elliott Johnson and added him to the 40 man roster.

TAMPA BAY RAYS FREE AGENTS
Grant Balfour (A)
Carl Crawford (A)
Rafael Soriano (A)
Dan Wheeler (A)
Joaquin Benoit (B)
Randy Choate (B)
Carlos Peña (B)
Rocco Baldelli
Brad Hawpe
Gabe Kapler
Chad Qualls

A = Type ‘A’ Free Agent: Rated in the top 20% at his position by Elias Sports Bureau.
B = Type ‘B’ Free Agent: Rated between top 21% and 40% at his position by Elias Sports Bureau.

Longoria Honored As Top Fielding Third Baseman

The Tampa Bay Rays’ Evan Longoria has been named the 2010 Fielding Bible Award winner for third basemen, presented by The Bill James Handbook.
Selected by a panel of ten experts, the Fielding Bible Awards name the best fielder at each position (including pitcher) in the major leages. This is Longoria’s first time being honored.
Other Rays receiving consideration for the awards include previous three-time award winner Carl Crawford in left field (2nd place), second baseman Sean Rodriguez (5th) and rightfielder Ben Zobrist (8th).

Rays David Price Wins Players Choice Award

David Price’s peers in Major League Baseball have recognized the lefthander’s remarkable 2010 season by awarding him the Players Choice Award for Outstanding AL Pitcher. The Players Choice Awards, sponsored by The Major League Baseball Players Association, annually honor the outstanding player, rookie, pitcher and comeback player in each league, as well as Player of the Year and Man of the Year awards without regard to league. Balloting for the Players Choice Awards was conducted in September among members of the Major League Baseball Players Association.
Previous Rays to be honored include Carlos Pena (2007, AL Comeback Player) and Evan Longoria (2008, AL Outstanding Rookie).
Price, a contendor for the AL Cy Young Award was 19-6 with a 2.72 ERA this season for the AL East champions.

Martinez Not Among Finalists For Toronto Job

CBC Sports in Canada is reporting that the Toronto Blue Jays have narrowed their search to three candidiates to replace the retired Cito Gaston as manager and that Rays bench coach Dave Martinez is not among them.
Earlier this week, the Blue Jays were given permission by the Rays to interview Martinez for the position. They have reportedly narrowed the search to Red Sox bench coach DeMarlo Hale, Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell and former all-star catcher Sandy Alomar Jr, with Alomar rumored to be the front runner.
Martinez expressed interest in interviewing for open major league managerial positions after the Rays were eliminated in the ALDS.

Rays Offseason: Blue Jays To Interview Martinez As Managerial Candidate

The Tampa Tribune is reporting that the Toronto Blue Jays have sought, and received, permission from the Rays to interview bench coach Dave Martinez to replace the retired Cito Gaston as manager.

Martinez is an original Devil Ray, recording the first base hit in team history and also played for the Cubs, Expos, Reds, Giants, White Sox, Rangers, Blue Jays and Braves over 15 big league seasons. He has been the Rays bench coach under manager Joe Maddon since 2008 but has never managed at any level of professional baseball. Martinez is believed to be one of several candidates for the Blue Jays job, a group that includes former big league manager Bobby Valentine.