Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay Devil Rays News and Press

MLB 2012 Tampa Bay Rays Home Schedule at Tropicana Field (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:55:00 PST
The Tampa Bay Rays have much to get excited about this season at Tropicana Field. Many memories were made in 2011 and plenty more will be created this upcoming season. Will this be the year the Rays claim the American League East?

Rays Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)
Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:38:46 PST

The Rays feel pretty good about the moves they've made thus far during the offseason, upgrading offensively at designated hitter and first base, adding depth to their bullpen and improving behind the plate.

They did so by signing five free agents—first baseman 1B Carlos Pena, designated hitter Luke Scott, infielder Jeff Keppinger, catcher Jose Molina and reliever Fernando Rodney—for more than $18-million.

They also made two small trades, adding right-handers Burke Badenhop and Josh Lueke.

So what's left to do?

Even with the addition of Molina, the 36-year-old veteran of 12 seasons, the Rays seem shorthanded, at least experience-wise, behind the plate, which could lead them back into the market.

After declining Kelly Shoppach's option and...

MLB Roundup: Hamilton admits 'weak moment' (Yahoo! Sports)
Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:05:12 PST
In a somber tone, Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton acknowledged his latest relapse in drinking alcohol, issuing a raw statement live at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on Friday. He acknowledged having a "weak moment" and apologized in the statement he said was not...

Indians sign first baseman Kotchman (Yahoo! Sports)
Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:01:17 PST
The Cleveland Indians added Casey Kotchman on Friday, announcing they had signed the first baseman to a one-year deal. Kotchman, who hit .306 with 10 homers and 48 RBI in 146 games for the Tampa Bay Rays last season, did not have a spot in Tampa after the Rays re-acquired Carlos...

Rays beat Jeff Niemann in salary arbitration (AP)
Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:05:39 PST
The Tampa Bay Rays defeated pitcher Jeff Niemann in salary arbitration Friday, improving clubs to 2-0 in decisions this year. Niemann will earn $2.75 million instead of his request for $3.2 million, arbitrators James Oldham, Howard Edelman and Mark Irvings decided after hearing arguments a day earlier.

1B Dan Johnson joins Chicago White Sox (PA SportsTicker)
Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:03:13 PST
First baseman Dan Johnson, whose dramatic home run on the final night of the regular season helped Tampa Bay reach last year's playoffs, has agreed to a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.

Indians add 1B Kotchman (PA SportsTicker)
Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:55:07 PST
The Indians have officially added first baseman Casey Kotchman to their ever-changing roster.

Tampa Bay Rays 2012 Interleague Schedule (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:03:00 PST
The 2012 Tampa Bay Rays interleague schedule begins in mid-May with a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves from May 18-20. The Rays will play a total of 18 interleague games this season, all of them coming against the National League East and 15 of those games taking place...

Reports: Indians sign free agent Kotchman (Yahoo! Sports)
Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:30:18 PST
Free agent first baseman Casey Kotchman has agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract with the Cleveland Indians, according to multiple media reports. He could make more based on incentive clauses, the reports indicated. Kotchman figures to share first base with Carlos Santana, whom...

MLB Roundup: Ortiz likely headed to arbitration, Lannan and Nats go head to head (Yahoo! Sports)
Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:55:16 PST
David Ortiz and the Boston Red Sox are likely headed to an arbitration hearing to determine the designated hitter's 2012 salary, according to an ESPN.com report. A hearing isn't scheduled for this week, leaving time to negotiate, the report said, citing a source.

Stolen! Matt Garza’s $30,000 Rays’ 2008 AL championship ring (Yahoo! Sports)
Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:55:35 PST
Did someone put up a sign saying it's OK to steal Tampa Bay Rays stuff? The Fresno Bee put the word out Tuesday that the 2008 AL championship ring belonging to Matt Garza was stolen from his home in Fresno … Continue reading →

MLB Roundup: Oswalt meets with Rangers officials (Yahoo! Sports)
Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:00:27 PST
Lunch went well for Roy Oswalt and the Texas Rangers in a Monday face-to-face meeting, according to an ESPN.com report. Oswalt, his wife, Nicole, and agent, Bob Garber, met Rangers general manager Jon Daniels and CEO and president Nolan Ryan.

Bravo! Dirk Hayhurst is taking his game to Italy (Yahoo! Sports)
Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:49:58 PST
The Garfoose has apparently developed a hankering for some Italian food. In a relatively surprising announcement on Tuesday afternoon, pitcher/author Dirk Hayhurst tweeted the news that he'll be heading to Italy to pitch in 2012 instead of trying to catch … Continue reading →

Keppinger to earn $1,525,000 in contract with Rays (AP)
Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:48:43 PST
Infielder Jeff Keppinger is guaranteed $1,525,000 as part of his one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. Keppinger can earn an additional $375,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances under the deal announced last week: $50,000 for 250, $75,000 apiece for 300, 350 and 400, and $100,000 for 450.

2012 Spring Training Guide: Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park Stadium (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:43:00 PST
Charlotte Sports Park Stadium, located at 2300 El Jobean Road in Port Charlotte, Fla., is the spring training home to the Tampa Bay Rays. The stadium, which was formerly called Charlotte County Stadium and occupied by the Texas Rangers for 15 years, was renamed after its recent $27...

Indians acquire INF/OF Canzler from Rays (AP)
Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:37:40 PST
The Indians have added an MVP to their roster, and a possible replacement at first base. Cleveland acquired versatile Russ Canzler, the top player in the International League last season, on Tuesday from the Tampa Bay Rays for cash. The 25-year-old Canzler played four positions -- right and left field, third and first base -- last season for Triple-A Durham, where he batted .314 with 18 homers and...

Blue Jays fail to meet lofty offseason expectations (Yahoo! Sports)
Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:11:00 PST
Predicted by many to be the "it" team this winter, Toronto instead appears ready to slog through another season of mediocrity.

Indians acquire International League MVP Canzler (Yahoo! Sports)
Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:55:15 PST
The Cleveland Indians have acquired Russ Canzler, last season's International League MVP, from the Tampa Bay Rays for cash. Canzler played both corner outfield positions, third base and first base, while batting .314 with 18 homers and 83 RBIs at Triple-A Durham.

Rangers give manager Washington 2-year extension (PA SportsTicker)
Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:13:26 PST
By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Sports Writer

A's remain open to signing Ramirez (PA SportsTicker)
Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:10:15 PST
The Oakland Athletics are open to signing slugger Manny Ramirez but the team is not actively pursuing the free agent.

Please Bud: Spare us from your expanded playoff just one more year (Yahoo! Sports)
Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:46:31 PST
Those of us hoping for at least one more year of the current playoff structure — and preferably decades more — seem unlikely to get our wish based on comments commissioner Bud Selig made to the assembled media at SoxFest … Continue reading →

Acta confident Indians will contend (PA SportsTicker)
Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:27:05 PST
By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer

Spring Training 2012: Hotels in Port Charlotte, Florida (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:42:00 PST
Are you planning on getting a hotel in Port Charlotte, Fla., to watch some spring training baseball? The Tampa Bay Rays play their spring training games at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Fla. If you are planning a trip to the area, then consider these hotels for your...

Where to Dine During Spring Training Season in Sarasota, Florida (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:02:00 PST
Baseball fans in Sarasota, Fla., are split between two teams. They have the Tampa Bay Rays to the north and the Miami Marlins to the south. Despite this, there's no disagreeing on where to dine in the area. Mattison's City Grill (1 North Lemon Avenue) - This is a great place...

Bradenton, Florida, Restaurants for Tampa Bay Rays Fans (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:58:00 PST
Bradenton, Fla., is a coastal city right outside of Tampa and home to multiple fans of the Tampa Bay Rays. During spring training, there are hundreds of restaurants to choose from. But what ones offer the best food and the best service at the best prices?

Florida law would turn its publicly funded ballparks and stadiums into homeless shelters (Yahoo! Sports)
Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:14:58 PST
Could the new Marlins ballpark or the Tampa Bay Rays' Tropicana Field serve as a homeless shelter for the 270 or so nights a year that they're not used for baseball? If two Florida lawmakers have their way, they might. … Continue reading →

Pena passes physical, officially rejoins Rays (AP)
Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:01:33 PST
Slugger Carlos Pena is excited about returning to the Tampa Bay Rays and bolstering hopes for another run for the playoffs. The 33-year-old first baseman officially rejoined the team he helped advance to the postseason in 2008 and 2010 after passing a physical Tuesday. He agreed to a $7.25 million, one-year deal last week after spending 2011 with the Chicago Cubs.