Wheeler gets 1-year deal

Posted Jan 15, 2008 by Marc Lancaster

Updated Jan 15, 2008 at 06:44 PM

The Rays have agreed to terms with veteran reliever Dan Wheeler on a one-year deal, reducing their slate of unsigned arbitration-eligible players to three. Wheeler is guaranteed $2.875 million and can earn an additional $25,000 if he makes 65 appearances in 2008.

Wheeler, who turned 30 last month, is expected to play a key setup role in the Rays’ bullpen, teaming with Al Reyes to help get the ball to new closer. He made $2.1 million last season, which he split between Houston (1-4, 5.07 ERA, 11 saves in 45 relief appearances) and Tampa Bay (0-5, 5.76 ERA in 25 relief appearances). The Rays acquired him from the Astros on July 28 in exchange for Ty Wigginton.

The Rays still are trying to hammer out agreements, whether one-year or multi-year, with Scott Kazmir, Carlos Pena and Jonny Gomes before the Friday deadline to exchange arbitration figures. If the parties get that far without a resolution, it’s the Rays’ policy to end negotiations at that point and go to an arbitration hearing. They would prefer not to go that route, and executive vice president Andrew Friedman said last week he was optimistic the team could reach a deal with all of its arbitration-eligible players before the deadline.