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

• Rays-Red Sox, Round II: Can Rays afford a beanball war?
• 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

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

Rays interested in INF Jeff Keppinger

Posted Jan 23, 2012 by Roger Mooney

Updated Jan 23, 2012 at 04:52 PM

ROGER MOONEY

The Rays will announce the signing of Carlos Peña on Tuesday afternoon providing the first baseman passes is morning physical.

And that might not be the end of the Rays foray into free agency this winter.

ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick has reported the Rays are interested in free agent infielder Jeff Keppinger, who split the 2011 season between the Astros and the Giants. He was non-tendered by the Giants after the season.

Keppinger (career stats: http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/keppije01.shtml) was used at second base by both teams but has played more than 100 games at second base, shortstop and third base during his seven-year career. He also has seen time at first base and all three outfield positions.

You might recall Keppinger as a tough out during the Rays three-game sweep last June in Houston. Keppinger was 5-for-11 with a double, home run and two RBI during the three games.

The 31-year-old, who made $2.3 million in 2011, would give the Rays another right-handed bat as well as depth around the infield. His experience – albeit not much – in the outfield would open options for Joe Maddon as Maddon goes to his bench during the late innings.