The Rays apparently really are considering all options in an effort to improve their offense.
The expectation throughout the offseason was that they were looking for a big bat to pop into the middle of their lineup, but with the first week of January behind them they had not made a move, either in free agency or trades.
Several players they had interest in ended up elsewhere, with veterans such as Josh Willingham and Carlos Beltran and traded prospects such as Yonder Alonso and Anthony Rizzo ending up with other teams.
But the Rays seem to be considering other scenarios as they surprisingly were the runners-up to the A's for outfielder Coco Crisp, who is much more of a leadoff type hitter than the slugger they were looking for.
The pursuit of Crisp suggests they would be willing to trade one of their other outfielders, presumably center fielder B.J. Upton, perhaps paired with one of their surplus starting pitchers (Wade Davis or Jeff Niemann) to get more in return.
They don't seem to have much interest in any of the remaining bats on the free agent market, with former Rays 1B Carlos Pena probably the most attractive option after Prince Fielder.
They also need a first baseman, with the return of Casey Kotchman a possibility. Kotchman batted .306 last season while playing his usual solid defense.
Notes, Quotes
RHP Fernando Rodney was signed to give the Rays another experienced option for high-leverage relief work. Rodney is coming off a pair of unimpressive seasons with the Angels, but has been pitching well in the Dominican Republic and said he feels capable of regaining his 2009 form, when he saved 37 games for the Tigers.
RHP Kyle Farnsworth is expected to remain in his role as the Rays closer despite the signing of RHP Fernando Rodney. Farnsworth saved 25 games for the Rays last season, including five of four or more outs, but was sidelined in September because of elbow tenderness. Rodney is more likely to team with RHP Joel Peralta to provide a solid setup crew.
C Robinson Chirinos was not allowed to return to action in Venezuela as he hoped, as the Rays decided it was better for him to continue the rehab process for the right wrist he broke in October. Chirinos, who is expected to compete with Jose Lobaton for the spot sharing time with veteran Jose Molina, had been working out with plans to join Magallanes for the playoffs.
C Paul Hoover spent eight years in the Rays' organization, getting some big-league time 2001-02, before going on to the Marlins and Phillies. Hoover has rejoined the Rays as a minor-league manager, named to head up the rookie-level Gulf Coast League team in Port Charlotte.
Bill Livesey, a Rays' executive during the formative years of the franchise, was named recipient of the Genovese Lifetime Achievement Award in Scouting from the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation, and will be honored Jan. 14 in Los Angeles.
RHP Taylor Guerrieri and OF Mikie Mahtook, the team's top two picks from the 2011 draft, are among 28 minor-leaguers invited to the annual Winter Development Program, which includes workouts at Tropicana Field and information sessions.
Roster Report
The Rays ended the season feeling vindicated that their plan to focus on starting pitching and defense was good enough to get them into the playoffs for the third time in four years. But they are also realistic enough to realize they need to add to their inconsistent and often anemic offense, with the potential for upgrades at a number of positions. The starting pitching staff is likely to return intact, though a trade might be the best avenue to improve the offense.
ARRIVALS: C Jose Molina (free agent from Blue Jays), RHP Josh Lueke (trade with Mariners), RHP Burke Badenhop (trade with Marlins).
DEPARTURES: C John Jaso (traded to Mariners), RHP Andy Sonnanstine (non-tendered, signed with Cubs).
FREE AGENTS: RHP Juan Cruz, DH Johnny Damon, 1B Dan Johnson, 1B Casey Kotchman.
Cruz served his purpose, giving the Rays a solid season after signing a minor league deal and positioning himself to move on and make more elsewhere. Damon and Kotchman present interesting decisions as both played well and were key parts of the Rays success, and there is mutual interest in returning, but the Rays also have to consider upgrades at one or both positions to improve their overall offensive production as they combined for only 26 homers and 121 RBI. Johnson declined an outright assignment to Class AAA.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: RHP Burke Badenhop, LHP J.P. Howell, RHP Jeff Niemann, LHP David Price, CF B.J. Upton.
Howell was the most interesting decision, as the Rays decided to gamble that his second season post-surgery would be better than his first. Niemann and Upton both could end up on the trade block.
MEDICAL WATCH:
RHP Alex Cobb (surgery to remove part of top rib and blood clot from right arm in August 2011) is on track to recover and participate in the offseason throwing program. He is expected to be fully healthy for spring training.
