SB Nation Tampa Bay - MLB Free Agency: Rays Learn David Price Files For Arbitrationhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49019/tb-fave.png2012-02-01T18:14:00-05:00http://tampabay.sbnation.com/rss/stream/22916902012-02-01T18:14:00-05:002012-02-01T18:14:00-05:00An Ode To Dan Johnson: A Tampa Bay Rays Legend
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> lost a legend today; An Icon; A Deity; A man whom never needed to pay for his tab at Fergs ever again. Make sure you are sitting down when you read this, Rays fans, because the news is hard to bare. The owner of arguably the two most important homeruns in franchise history, the Great Pumpkin himself, free agent 1B <span>Dan Johnson</span> signed a minor-league contract with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">Chicago White Sox</a>, Wednesday.</p>
<p>Let that sink in for a second. Dan Johnson is no longer a Ray...</p>
<p>Sure, most of you probably saw this coming. With the acquisitions of DH <span>Luke Scott</span> and the triumphant return of 1B <span>Carlos Pena</span>, Johnson didn't seem likely to find a home at Tropicana Field this summer. Beyond a retooled roster, Johnson's .119/.187/.202 slash line with the Rays in 2011 made not bringing him back an easy decision for GM Andrew Friedman. But this fan can't help but worry that Johnson may have taken some magic with him to the Southside of Chicago.</p>
<p>There is an empty feeling in my gut today, a feeling that is difficult to describe. It as if someone has taken away the safety net from the Rays, that suddenly a comeback is less likely, a game tying homerun will be impossible to find. Johnson hit just two home runs in 2011 for Tampa bay, but they were both impressive: A ninth inning job off his new teammates in Chicago to end a 0-6 start to the season and perhaps the most improbable game tying blast in MLB history against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> in game 162. <span>Evan Longoria</span> will get plenty of credit for sending the Rays to the playoffs with his walkoff extra-inning shot but #3 doesn't get that chance if Joe Maddon doesn't have the guts to pinch hit Johnson in the 9th.</p>
<p>WIthout Dan Johnson riding the bench, waiting for a closer to punish, to whom will the Rays turn to save their seasons in the waning moments of games? Who will carry the magic bat, and round first with such childlike vigor, flashing that grin of disbelief that even he can't believe what he just did? Johnson may never be Carlos Pena around the bag, or Luke Scott with the stick, but it's Johnson's magic we will always remember. His incredible talent of hitting homeruns at exactly the right time. From Fenway in 2008 to St. Pete in 2011, Rays fans will always remember Johnson's heroics, and for that, we will always miss him.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/972520/190724_Red_Sox_Rays_Baseball.jpg"><img alt="190724_red_sox_rays_baseball_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/972520/190724_Red_Sox_Rays_Baseball_medium.jpg"></a></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2012/2/1/2764926/an-ode-to-dan-johnson-a-tampa-bay-rays-legendGareth Rees2012-01-24T17:52:24-05:002012-01-24T17:52:24-05:002012 Rays Roster: Celebrating The Carlos Pena Homecoming
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<p>Carlos Pena brings a powerful bat and some underrated defense to a Rays offense hungry for runs.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Rays</a> head into the 2012 MLB Season with perhaps the strongest and most impressive roster in team history. In addition to bringing back the best starting rotation and defense in the AL (3.53 <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/library/index.php/pitching/era/">ERA</a>, 54.7 runs saved via <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/library/index.php/defense/uzr/">UZR</a>), the Rays now boast a compliment of elite free agents -- all acquired at discount prices: C <span>Jose Molina</span> (a <a href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2011/11/17/2569736/rumor-tampa-bay-rays-sign-jose-molina-question-but-why">defensive wizard</a>), DH <span>Luke Scott</span> (a rebounding slugger) and the singular 1B <span>Carlos Pena</span>.</p>
<p>Pena returns to the Rays after spending the 2011 MLB season with the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Cubs</a>. As a member of Chicago's northside, Pena looked absolutely horrid and broken through the first season of the month -- and yet he still put together a tidy little year, clapping 28 dingers and sporting a dandy .354 <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/library/index.php/offense/woba/">weighted on base average</a> (wOBA).</p>
<p>If you don't understand how a fella with a .220 batting average can be an offensive threat, watch this-here video:</p>
<center><iframe frameborder="0" height="224" width="400" src="http://mlb.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=20064677&width=400&height=224&property=mlb">Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe></center>
<p><br>So what can possibly be left in the tank for a 34-year-old Carlos Pena?</p>
<p>Hopefully something.</p>
<p>With the Cubs, he showed he still had his ever-impressive power, hitting only two <a href="http://www.hittrackeronline.com/detail.php?id=2011_787&type=hitter&sortm=std_dist&sort=asc">"just enough" homers</a> while also blasting a pair beyond the 450 ft. mark. Also, his walk rate -- 16.7% of his plate appearances (PAs) ended in BBs -- was nearly the same as his magical 2007 season (16.8%).</p>
<p><i>Interesting aside: Pena was teammates with <span>Manny Ramirez</span> in 2006. I vaguely recall an interview with Pena in 2007 -- during his amazing home run frenzy -- where he credits Manny for helping him while in Boston. Apparently, Pena had asked Ramirez for "the secret" to which Manny replied (interestingly like <span>Barry Bonds</span> has said, I believe) something to the effect of: "I see the ball really, really well."</i></p>
<p><i>After that year, Pena's walk rate went from around 10% to 15% and Los was born. (Note within the note: Before we start going crazy and accusing one of the league's most upright gents of using PEDs, let us remember that taking PEDs does not a great hitter make. It can only help great hitters get greater. I can think of no time it has made a terrible hitter get great.)</i></p>
<p>Power and patience, as we all know, constitute Pena's only two offensive tools. And he was working those tools in 2011. Granted, he will be switching back to the AL, which tends to be tougher on players, but he has a proven track record of success with the Rays and in their division.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, we cannot ignore his age or the fact that his skillset is the kind that depreciates quickly -- that of a power slugger.</p>
<p>The best way to avoid disappointment with Pena? Hope for just 20 to 25 home runs and a solid .350 on-base percentage. Hope for above average offensive production -- or average first base production (because first basemen tend to hit much better than the rest of the positions) -- and superior defense.</p>
<p>Some have begun to question Pena's defense, but Cubs fans can attest that Pena did more than just catch tosses and touch first. As we see in the video above -- and as ESPN confirms below -- Pena joined the Cirque du So-throwaway in 2011, catching wild and terrible throws from the <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/37004/mlb-roundup-seth-smith-and-carlos-pena">spurious Cubs infield:</a></p>
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<p>Pena's best defensive assets are still mostly un-captured by modern statistics. Some day, Field F/x will come and bless the Penas of the world with due credit. Until then, we must trust the scouting reports and the word of Joe Maddon, who has said he was <a href="http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/news/print.jsp?ymd=20110622&content_id=20862482&notebook_id=20862486&vkey=notebook_tb&c_id=tb">as good or better</a> than defensive maven <span>Casey Kotchman</span>.</p>
<p>So, altogether, Rays fans should expect: Solid to great defense and Johnny Damon-like offense (a healthy tick or ten above average).</p>
<p>And for a Rays team that has already assembled a fearsome, almost cheat-code-like pitching staff and defense, but was middle of the pack at scoring runs, Pena's is a homecoming worth celebrating.</p>
<p><i>Want more Rays coverage? Check out <a href="http://www.draysbay.com/">DRaysBay</a>, the Internet top Rays blog. No discussion.</i></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2012/1/24/2730781/2012-rays-roster-fernando-rodriguezBradley Woodrum2011-12-20T16:07:01-05:002011-12-20T16:07:01-05:00Wouldn't It Be Nice To Sign Carlos Beltran?
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<p>The <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Rays</a> are <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ti-brown_hiroki_kuroda_dodgers_121911">apparently in the hunt</a> for free agent slugger OF <span>Carlos Beltran</span>. But, let's be honest here, there are apparently three other teams in the running for Beltran.</p>↵<p>When was the last time Rays ever signed a free agent who was also drawing interest from other teams? Never, if I recall correctly. Oh, well, there was the Hit Show, but that's Devil Rays history.</p>↵<p>Anyway, Beltran had a career year last year (.389 <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/library/index.php/offense/woba/">wOBA</a>, 151 <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/library/index.php/offense/wrc/">wRC+</a>), despite being 34 years old. Hitters in their mid-30s typically fall into the Rays' price range -- so do guys with recent injury histories -- and Carlos Beltran is quite the aged, injured hitter, but this still feels doubtful.</p>↵<p>But wouldn't it be nice if Rays could get Beltran to come down to the beach?</p>↵<p><iframe width="300" height="233" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-E4FRtrD9aQ" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>↵<p><em>↵<p>For more info on the Tampa Bay Rays, check out <a href="http://www.draysbay.com/">DRaysBay</a>, the single most amazing Rays blog pretty much ever. Stay tuned to <a href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Tampa Bay</a> for more breaking news analysis on the Rays.</p>↵</em></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2011/12/20/2650203/wouldnt-it-be-nice-to-sign-carlos-beltranBradley Woodrum2011-11-17T17:53:39-05:002011-11-17T17:53:39-05:00MLB Free Agency Rumors: Tampa Bay Rays Reportedly Sign Jose Molina
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<img alt="TORONTO, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 16: Jose Molina #8 of the Toronto Blue Jays hits the winning RBI against the New York Yankees during MLB action at the Rogers Centre September 16, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Abelimages/Getty Images)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wF_drsnJf6Lk0C61t-eTnZlDYPg=/41x0:959x612/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/4063583/125378245.jpg" />
<figcaption>TORONTO, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 16: Jose Molina #8 of the Toronto Blue Jays hits the winning RBI against the New York Yankees during MLB action at the Rogers Centre September 16, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Abelimages/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Tampa Bay Rays have reportedly signed catcher Jose Molina to a free agent contract according to unconfirmed reports. </p> <p>News broke on Thursday afternoon that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> have made their first big free agent acquisition of the winter by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.draysbay.com/2011/11/17/2569601/rumor-rays-sign-jose-molina">signing Jose Molina</a>. Though not yet officially confirmed, <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/#!/Commish620wdae/status/137297262685601792">Justin Pawlowski tweeted</a> not long ago that the Rays were in fact in negotiations to bring one of the brothers Molina to Tampa.</p>
<p>DRaysBay, SB Nation's site devoted to all things Devil Rays, broke the story and had this to say about Molina:</p>
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<p>A career backup, Molina was dead weight with the bat until 2011. Buoyed by a .363 batting average on balls in play he hit .281/.342/.415 in 55 games for Toronto. However, before last season he had only posted an on base percentage of +.300 one time in the past eight years. On a more positive note, Molina was the best at framing pitches per Mike Fast's <a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=15093" target="_blank">excellent research</a> at Baseball Prospectus</p>
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<p>Even if Molina's bat does not excite you, he'll undeniably be an upgrade defensively over the two catches currently on Tampa Bay's roster -- <a href="../../mlb/players/31353/john-jaso" class="sbn-auto-link">John Jaso</a> and <a href="../../mlb/players/70469/robinson-chirinos" class="sbn-auto-link">Robinson Chirinos.</a> <span>Kelly Shoppach</span>, the team's catches in 2010, did not have his option picked up at season's end.</p>
<p>Stay tuned here and at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.draysbay.com/">DRaysBay </a>for confirmation of the signing, and other MLB Free Agency news as more information becomes available.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2011/11/17/2569738/mlb-free-agency-rumors-tampa-bay-rays-reportedly-sign-jose-molinaMichael Bean2011-11-03T18:08:12-04:002011-11-03T18:08:12-04:00Dan Johnson Declines AAA Assignment From Tampa Bay Rays, Becomes Free Agent
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<p>Dan Johnson, a folk hero for hitting two of the franchise's biggest home runs, has declined an assignment to AAA and will instead become a free agent this winter.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> may not have a long history, but the once moribund franchise has quickly added to its lore in recent years with surprising runs to the postseason. There are numerous players and coaches responsible for the Rays' turnaround several years ago, and even more who pitched in during the club's historic comeback in the American League wild card race this year.</p>
<p>One of those guys is <span>Dan Johnson</span>, who hit two of the biggest homeruns in franchise history. In case you had forgotten, Johnson was the one who saved the Rays' season when he hit a 9th inning homerun against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">New York Yankees</a> in the 162nd and final game of the season. The two-out, two-strike shot tied the game, and it was his last hit with the Rays, as he failed to collect a hit in the postseason and has now <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/620wdae/status/132199108906713088">declined a AAA assignment to Durham and instead opted to become a free agent </a>this winter. Johnson's flair for the dramatic also helped Tampa Bay reach the postseason in 2008, when his two-out long ball off <span>Jonathan Papelbon</span> put the Rays over the top and into the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.</p>
<p>Johnson's 2011 season was an unequivocal disappointment however. In 84 at bats, he hit .119 with two home runs and 4 runs batted in before losing his job to <span>Casey Kotchman</span>. In his six Big League seasons with the Rays and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a>, Johnson has a career batting average of .235, with 53 home runs and 188 runs batted in. The Rays must now find a true first baseman in free agency or somewhere in their farm system, as the team enters the offseason without one on their roster.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2011/11/3/2536439/dan-johnson-declines-aaa-assignment-from-tampa-bay-rays-becomes-freeMichael Bean2011-10-31T16:53:24-04:002011-10-31T16:53:24-04:00Three Tampa Bay Rays Nominated For Gold Glove Consideration
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<p>It was quite the ride for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> in 2011. After pulling off a historic comeback in the month of September to earn a wild card berth, the Rays fizzled out in the American League Divisional Series against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a>. As there is every year in Tampa, there will be significant turnover on the roster this winter. But before we learn the fate of the Rays squad for 2012 and beyond, there's the possibility of several individuals receiving hardware for the fine work they did defensively this season.</p>↵<p>On Monday, it was announced that three Rays players had been nominated for Gold Gloves at their respective positions: <span>Evan Longoria</span> (3B), <span>Casey Kotchman</span> (1B) and <span>Sam Fuld</span> (LF). Were Longoria to get the nod, it would mark the third consecutive year that the 26-year old has taken home the Gold Glove award at 3B. Kotchman and Fuld have never won the award previously.</p>↵<p>The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.espnmediazone3.com/us/2011/10/31/espn2-to-televise-first-ever-rawlings-gold-glove-awards-show/">Rawlings Gold Glove Awards</a> will be broadcast live from Bristol, CT for the first time ever on Tuesday, November 1st. Here's the announcement from ESPN, as well as a full list of players up for consideration:</p>↵<blockquote>↵<p>ESPN2 will televise the first-ever <i>Rawlings Gold Glove Awards Show</i> – emanating from ESPN’s <i>Baseball Tonight</i> studio in Bristol – Tuesday, Nov. 1, at 10 p.m. ET. The one-hour telecast, hosted by <i>Baseball Tonight’s</i> Karl Ravech with analysts John Kruk and Barry Larkin (a three-time Gold Glove winner – 1994, 1995, 1996), will include the announcement of the 2011 Gold Glove Award winners and extensive highlights and analysis of the best defensive performers and plays during the MLB regular season.</p>↵</blockquote>↵
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2011/10/31/2527897/three-tampa-bay-rays-nominated-for-gold-glove-considerationMichael Bean2011-10-31T15:39:51-04:002011-10-31T15:39:51-04:00MLB Free Agency: David Price Files For Arbitration
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> starting pitcher <span>David Price</span> opted out of the final year of his contract and filed for arbitration, <a href="http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/sports/comments/price-opts-for-abritation-this-offseason/" target="blank">reports</a> Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune. Price, who started a major-league-leading 34 games for the Rays in 2011, was set to earn $2.4 million next season, but will leave that money on the table in hopes of landing a bigger deal. </p>
<p>He's certain to do so. Though he tallied just a 12-13 record in 2011, the 26-year-old is only one year removed from going 19-6 with a 2.72 earned run average and starting for the American League in the All-Star Game.</p>
<p>Price has started 89 of his 94 appearances as a Ray, compiling a 41-26 record with a 3.38 earned run average, the best in Tampa Bay franchise history.</p>
<p>An arbitrator will rule on Price's salary in the months ahead. Price will submit one salary figure which he thinks is fair, while the Rays will submit another. The arbitrator will then choose between the two figures.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2011/10/31/2527716/mlb-free-agency-david-price-files-for-arbitrationEvan Dunlap2011-10-31T13:03:10-04:002011-10-31T13:03:10-04:00Tampa Bay Rays Free Agents: Rays To Decide On Club Options For James Shields, Two Others
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<p>The Rays own club options on star pitcher James Shields and two other players. They also have exclusive negotiating rights with four other free agents through Wednesday.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> must soon decide on club options for starting pitcher <span>James Shields</span>, closer <span>Kyle Farnsworth</span>, and catcher <span>Kelly Shoppach</span>. In addition, they have until Wednesday to negotiate exclusively with their pending free agents. </p>
<p>Shields' call is the easiest to make. For $7 million, Tampa Bay can retain the Major Leagues' leader in complete games (11) and shutouts (four). The 30-year-old Shields led the Rays with 16 victories, a 2.82 earned run average, and 249.1 innings pitched.</p>
<p>Keeping Farnsworth also seems to be a no-brainer. Working as a closer for the first time in his career, the 13-year veteran saved 25 games, recorded a 2.18 ERA, and allowed less than one hit per inning. At $3.3 million, he's a bargain, although the Rays could elect to buy him out for $650,000 if they'd rather look elsewhere.</p>
<p>Shoppach has the most tenuous case of the three Rays with options. The 31-year-old hit just .176 in 253 plate appearances, with 11 home runs and 22 runs batted in. Though Shoppach is sound defensively, Tampa Bay has other options (<span>John Jaso</span>, <span>Robinson Chirinos</span>, <span>Jose Lobaton</span>) behind the plate. It might be best for the cash-strapped Rays to buy Shoppach out for $300,000 rather than paying him $3.2 million to stay with the team.</p>
<p>The free agents with whom Tampa Bay has exclusive negotiation rights until Wednesday are reliever <span>Juan Cruz</span>, designated hitter <span>Johnny Damon</span>, first baseman <span>Casey Kotchman</span>, and reliever <span>Joel Peralta</span>. After Wednesday, those players may begin contract discussions with other teams, in addition to the Rays.</p>
<p>Damon hit .261 with 16 homers. Though he'll turn 38 in November, he's proven he's still an everyday player at the Major League level. Just 277 hits away from 3,000 in his career, he will likely want to keep playing as long as he can.</p>
<p>Kotchman doesn't hit for power (just 10 homers and 48 RBI in 500 plate appearances) but he's nonetheless valuable, as he led all Rays regulars in on-base percentage (.378). He showed prowess defensively as well, making only two errors in 1201 chances for a fielding percentage of .998.</p>
<p>Peralta led all Rays pitchers in appearances (71) and compiled a 3-4 record. He saved six games and posted a 2.93 ERA.</p>
<p>In 56 appearances, Cruz threw 48.2 innings out of the Rays' bullpen, with a 3.88 ERA and a 5-0 record.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2011/10/31/2527145/tampa-bay-rays-free-agents-james-shields-option-kyle-farnsworth-mlbEvan Dunlap