Back to the Rays Report

Roger Mooney

Roger Mooney covers the Tampa Bay Rays for The Tampa Tribune, TBO.com and News Channel 8. He has covered the Rays since their first season in 1998, including 11 years for the Bradenton Herald. Roger has also covered Florida, South Florida and Florida State football, the Bucs and the Lightning.

 @RMooneyTrib
 TBO_Rays
Send us your questions

More Links:

• Schedule/Results
• Player Stats
• Team Stats

Most Recent Entries

• Robinson product Gibson advances to NCAA track finals
• Panini previews Gold Standard autographs
• UD unveils Military Machines inserts for 2012 Goodwin Champions set
• Rays @ BoSox: Guyer out for the season, Jennings close to returning and lineups
• USF softball: It’s game day
• Weekly Tampa Bay fishing report
• Rays at BoSox: Rivalry renewed
• Karen Cooley returns as Zephyrhills girls swimming coach
• USF beats Pitt, stays alive
• The Nerds head north
• Jeffrey Shank out as Gulf boys basketball coach
• Berkeley Prep captures Academic Team Champion Award - again
• This week’s signings and offers
• Berkeley Prep wins FHSAA Academic Award standings
• Shank out as Gulf boys hoops coach

More

• Bucs Report -Tribune staff
• Rays Report - Roger Mooney
• Bolts Report - Erik Erlendsson
• Bulls Report
• Prep Report - Hillsborough
• Prep Report - Pasco
• Prep Report - Region
• Prep Report - Recruiting Updates
• Prep Report - Football
• Go Fishing: On The Waterfront
• The Sports Bookie - Bob D'Angelo
• Gators Report - Tribune staff
• Youth Sports Report
• NFL Draft Report
• Go Ask: Frank's Tacklebox
• Bucified Bert Blog
• BUK Power - Bucs Fan Blog
• Pigskin Preacher - NFL Fan Blog
• Breakfast Bonus - Tom McEwen
• Highlands Sports

Monthly Archives

• May 2012
• April 2012
• March 2012
• February 2012
• January 2012
• December 2011

Notes from Day 3 of the meetings

Posted Dec 7, 2011 by Roger Mooney

Updated Dec 7, 2011 at 09:02 PM

ROGER MOONEY
DALLAS Andrew Friedman said Day 3 of the Winter Meetings was productive but added he’s not sitting on any free agent signings or trades.

“Trades are so difficult to characterize, but I do feel like there’s decent momentum on a couple of fronts that I think have a chance to materialize, whether that’s in a day or a month is tough to say,” he said. “But there are certain spots that ideally we’d be more aggressive and take care of so we can address other areas. It doesn’t always work out that way.”

Speculation earlier today was the Rays would be interested in Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez, who would become available if the Marlins landed Albert Pujols.

While the right-hander would be an ideal candidate for the Rays – he’s a good fielder and wouldn’t be eligible for arbitration until 2013 – the Rays are looking more for a left-handed bat for first base.

Reds GM Walt Jocketty said he has talked to Friedman about possible deals, but added, “I don’t think we’re close on anything.”

Manager Joe Maddon told Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio that the Rays have mentioned Reds outfield prospect Yonder Alonso.

Friedman wouldn’t bite on that.

Johnny Damon remains very much in the discussions for the DH spot. The Rays can live with his lack of power in return for the other things he brings to the team.

“His under the surface value is not lost on us at all,” Friedman said. “(We’re) trying to maximize what we’re projecting for our offense in terms of runs scored, and there are different ways to score runs. Some ways are more expensive than others. We just have to get creative to find the optimal mix.”

The meetings end tomorrow with the Rule 5 draft, but the Rays probably won’t be players.

“There are a couple of guys of interest, but I don’t anticipate us being active,” Friedman said.

The problem is any player drafted has to be on the 40-man roster until March 12.

“It just tied up roster flexibility,” Friedman said. “You have to have a pretty high-level of conviction with the number of guys we’d still would like to add to our 40-man to where I don’t think anyone is going to surpass that level.”