After failing to make the playoffs for just the 2nd time in the past 5 seasons, the off-season has proven to be a busy one for the Tampa Bay Rays. With limited resources, this wealth of activity is not surprising, since the club must always remain pro-active to compensate for the inability to sign players at will. Giving Evan Longoria the richest contract in franchise history and trading the team’s most senior player in James Shields are clearly the moves that have generated the most buzz. However, an array of less prominent decisions could easily become the catalyst to provide a much-anticipated return to the post-season. Here is the second part of a look at the off-season transactions of the Tampa Bay Rays.
December 1, 2012 — Traded Burke Badenhop to the Milwaukee Brewers for Raul Mondesi, Jr. Following the re-signing of right-handed Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay shipped arbitration-eligible (and righty) Burke Badenhop to Milwaukee for this 20 year-old 2nd generation outfielder, who competed in rookie ball in 2012. With a 3.03 ERA in 62.1 innings, Badenhop was solid in his single season with the Rays, but this move saved payroll and freed a spot for another pitcher in the team’s cross-hairs.
December 3, 2012 — Signed free agent James Loney to a 1 year, $2 million contract. After 5 seasons as the everyday 1st baseman of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Loney was traded in August and non-tendered by the Boston Red Sox at the end of the season. Hoping to rebuild a tarnished reputation on and off the field, the 28 year-old signed with the Rays, who sought an affordable upgrade on the departing Carlos Pena. Loney is a contact hitter with a good glove and should serve as the club’s regular 1st baseman in 2013.
December 4, 2012 — Traded minor leaguer Derek Dietrich to Miami Marlins for Yunel Escobar. Owed $5 million for 2013, few believed the Miami Marlins would retain Escobar after acquiring him in a salary-dump deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. The shortstop was aggressively shopped during the winter meetings and Tampa Bay eventually exchanged minor league prospect Dietrich for the 30 year-old shortstop. The 6 year veteran improves a position of weakness and enables Ben Zobrist to return to second base.
December 4, 2012 — Re-signed Sean Rodriguez to a 1 year, $1 million contract. With a .213 batting average in 301 at bats in 2012, it seemed this utility player blew his final chance to make an impression. Perhaps motivated by the departure of infielder Jeff Keppinger, the Rays surprisingly brought back the 5 year veteran at an affordable price.
December 5, 2012 — Signed free agent Jason Bourgeois to a minor league contract. Formerly a 2nd round draft pick, this 30 year-old outfielder has competed for 4 teams in the past 5 seasons. He stole 31 bases in limited duty for the Houston Astros in 2011, so speed is likely the asset coveted by the Rays with this signing.
December 9, 2012 — Traded James Shields and Wade Davis to the Kansas City Royals for Wil Myers, Jake Odorizzi, Mike Montogomery, and Patrick Leonard. While Evan Longoria’s extension may prove the most monumental decision of the off-season, this trade generated the greatest response throughout the baseball world. With 8 starting pitchers for 5 spots, Tampa Bay finally chose to employ a position of strength to upgrade an offense that was frequently woeful in 2012. Though many anticipated a move, Kansas City was not viewed as the most-likely partner, and Shields’ dependability will certainly be missed. Nevertheless, the blockbuster deal returned four highly-regarded prospects, led by reigning minor league player of the year Wil Myers, who slugged 37 minor league homers in 2012. The 22 year-old has a legitimate chance to make Tampa Bay’s Opening Day roster in the outfielder, but Odorizzi, Montgomery, and Leonard likely face development in years to come.
December 18, 2012 — Signed free agent Roberto Hernandez to a 1 year, $3.25 million contract. Not only does General Manager Andrew Friedman have a sterling reputation as an evaluator of talent, but he has capably overcome financial limitations for the past half decade. That is why this move has mystified supporters. Tampa Bay skeptics hope to be proven wrong, but the addition of the man formerly known as Fausto Carmona seems positively un-Rays-like. Hernandez has posted an ERA above 5.00 in 5 of his 7 seasons as a starter for the Cleveland Indians. Additionally, he missed nearly all of 2012 due to legal problems and has not pitched out of the bullpen since 2006. The Rays already possess 6 realistic starters, so $3.25 million is a lot to pay an unproven reliever.
Sources:
Yahoo! Sports, Baseball-Reference.com.
More by Jeff Briscoe from Yahoo! Contributor Network:
Off-Season Transactions of the Tampa Bay Rays, Part 1
Jeff Briscoe is a regular contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network and a follower of the Tampa Bay Rays. He talks Rays’ baseball and more on The Sports Train radio show in Southwest Florida.
