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.