Rays win arbitration case with Niemann

Posted Feb 3, 2012 by Roger Mooney

Updated Feb 3, 2012 at 04:18 PM

ROGER MOONEY

The Rays remain the only major league team undefeated in the arbitration process after a panel of three arbitrators ruled in their favor today in the case with Jeff Niemann.

Niemann sought a $3.2 million contract for 2012, while the Rays offered $2.75 million.

“We are officially at the end of the arbitration process for the year,” executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. “We had a number of eligible players this year and we’re happy to have this process behind us so we can focus all of our attention on getting ready for the season.”

Niemann was the last of the Rays six arbitration-eligible players to come to an agreement.

Joel Peralta agreed to a one-year, $2.175 deal in December, and the Rays reached one-year deals with David Price ($4.35 million), B.J. Upton ($7 million), J.P. Howell ($1.355 million) and Burke Badenhop ($1.075 million) before last month’s deadline to exchange figures.

In all, the Rays paid $18.705 million to the six players.

The Rays are now 6-0 in arbitration, 5-0 under Friedman.

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Update on Rays Fan Fest, set for Feb. 18

Posted Feb 3, 2012 by Roger Mooney

Updated Feb 3, 2012 at 02:48 PM

The 2012 Rays Fan Fest presented by MetroPCS, scheduled for Saturday, February 18 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Tropicana Field, will feature an unprecedented number of activities for kids.  Proceeds from select events benefit the Rays Baseball Foundation and the ALS Association Florida Chapter. 

Youth stations include clinics by Rays coaches, “Reading with the Rays,” running the bases, Sweetbay Supermarket High Five Station, interactive activities for all ages and photo opportunities with Rays mascot Raymond and DJ Kitty. The event is also sponsored by Chevrolet, Sweetbay Supermarket and Tradewinds Island Resorts.  Admission and parking are free. 

Hitting and pitching clinics sponsored by Sagicor will be held throughout the day allowing kids to receive free instruction from the Rays major league coaching staff.
 
To promote “Reading with the Rays,” the club’s summer reading program, Rays players will read select stories to kids.

Fan Fest will feature numerous interactive activities for children and families. The MOR Kids Interactive Zone allows fans to interact with players while they swing away in a big league batting cage, try out their fastball in the speed pitch booth and hit a home run in the Wiffle Ball Home Run Derby. Other interactive activities include the MLB 2K11 station, Rock Band stage, Pop-A-Shot booth and newly added Family Feud.
 
“This year’s Fan Fest will feature even more activities for baseball fans, especially children,” Rays president Matt Silverman said. “In addition, the event has become a major fundraiser for the community. By the time the day is over, we expect to have raised over $100,000 for great local causes.”

Tickets to Rays Manager Joe Maddon’s traditional Thanksmas meal during Fan Fest are sold out. All proceeds benefit the Rays Baseball Foundation.

In addition, fans are encouraged to stop by the MetroPCS Call-A-Friend station to have the opportunity for Rays players Reid Brignac, Sam Fuld, David Price or Sean Rodriguez to call a friend or family member. Rays broadcasters and special guests will hold panel discussions. Clubhouse tours will be offered throughout the day.

New to the event in this year is an MLB Alumni Wiffle Ball game including former Rays players.

The Rays Charity Yard Sale returns for a second year giving fans the opportunity to purchase unique game-used and autographed memorabilia dating back to the inaugural season.  All proceeds benefit the Rays Baseball Foundation.  In 2011, the Rays Yard Sale raised $80,000.  Proceeds were split among Rays community partners, the ALS Association, Suncoast Law Enforcement Charities and the Rays Baseball Foundation. 

Fans have the option to purchase a $50 wristband which grants the opportunity to get autographs from Rays players.  All proceeds benefit the ALS Association.

Rays TV and radio broadcasters and more than 25 former major league players will also sign autographs for free throughout the day.

New to Fan Fest is the Exclusive Signing Opportunity that will guarantee an autograph from a specific Rays player. With the purchase of this exclusive offer, fans also receive a wristband for the general autograph line. For more information or to purchase an Exclusive Signing Opportunity, please visit raysbaseball.com.  Proceeds benefit the Rays Baseball Foundation.

Rays ticket sales personnel will be available to assist fans throughout the day in the purchase of season tickets, group tickets and a special Fan Fest pack offer.

Fans can call 888-FAN-RAYS or log on to raysbaseball.com for more information about 2012 Rays Fan Fest.

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Kotchman headed to Cleveland on 1-year deal

Posted Feb 2, 2012 by Roger Mooney

Updated Feb 2, 2012 at 08:10 PM

ROGER MOONEY

Casey Kotchman, who hit a career-best .306 last season while playing first base for the Rays, accepted a one-year, $3 million deal Thursday from the Indians.

“Like I’ve said before, it’s an honor and a privilege to put on a major league uniform,” Kotchman said. “And it’s an honor to have the opportunity to put on another uniform. I want to take advantage of his opportunity and help (the Indians) continue and improve upon what they started last year.”

The Seminole product, playing in front of his hometown fans for the first time since high school, enjoyed the best offensive season of his career in 2011 while providing his normal steady glove at first.

In addition to his career-high batting average, Kotchman set career-highs in games (153) and on-base percentage (.378). Kotchman finished eighth in the AL in batting, making him the third Ray to finish in the top-10. Jason Bartlett (.317) was seventh in 2009 and Aubrey Huff (.311) was ninth in 2003.

Kotchman credited the treatment to cure the infection in his eye lids in December 2010 for his resurgence at the plate.

Kotchman led all major league first basemen with a .998 fielding percentage. It was the fourth straight season he finished with the highest fielding percentage among major league first basemen.

Kotchman accepted a minor league deal from the Rays with an invite to major league camp in January 2010. He didn’t make the team out of camp despite hitting .354 during the Grapefruit League. He accepted an assignment to Triple A Durham, but didn’t stay with the Bulls for very long

Kotchman was recalled on April 8 and replaced Manny Ramirez on the roster after the designated hitter retired rather than face a 100-game suspension for failing Major League Baseball’s performance enhancing policy for a second time.

With Dan Johnson struggling at the plate, Kotchman soon found himself in the lineup.

Beginning April 23, Kotchman played in 143 of the Rays remaining 147 games.

Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman maintained all offseason that Kotchman was very much in the discussion as Friedman looked for a first baseman. But a desire for more production led to the Rays resigning Carlos Peña, the Rays all-time home run leader.

 

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Niemann heads to arbitration today

Posted Feb 2, 2012 by Roger Mooney

Updated Feb 2, 2012 at 06:25 AM

ROGER MOONEY

Pitcher Jeff Niemann has his day in front of a three-arbitrator panel today during his salary arbitration hearing.

Niemann, 11-7 with a 4.06 ERA in 2011, is seeking a one-year, $3.2 million contract. The Rays offered $2.75 million. Niemann made $903,000 last season.

The decision of the arbitrators is likely to be rendered Friday.

The Rays are 4-0 in arbitration under executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, winning two decisions against former catcher Josh Paul and one each against former catcher Dioner Navarro and center fielder B.J. Upton.

Niemann is the only player to take the Rays to arbitration this winter. The team reached deals and avoided arbitration this offseason with Upton and pitchers Joel Peralta, David Price, J.P. Howell and Burke Badenhop.

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Dan Johnson signs minor league contract with White Sox

Posted Feb 1, 2012 by Roger Mooney

Updated Feb 1, 2012 at 12:48 PM

Dan Johnson is mobbed by his teammates in the dugout after his dramatic ninth-inning home run Sept. 28 tied the score and sent the game into extra innings.

ROGER MOONEY

Dan Johnson, whose two-out, two-strike, ninth inning home run on the final night of the regular season helped save the Rays season, signed a minor league contract today with the White Sox.

The deal comes with an invite to spring training.

Johnson, who declined an assignment to Triple A Durham in October, feels he can make the White Sox Opening Day lineup. The key will be proving the wrist injury that hampered him last season and let to his May demotion to Durham is no longer an issue.

“I have to take it day-by-day, but that’s the plan,” Johnson said. “You don’t play this game to shoot low. I’m going in there shooting for the stars.”

Johnson hit two home runs for the Rays in 2011. The first, against the White Sox in Chicago, was a three-run shot that capped a ninth inning comeback and gave the Rays their first victory of the season.

The second came during that wild regular season finale, a solo shot just inside the right field foul pole that completed the Rays comeback from a 7-0 deficit and set up Evan Longoria’s game-winning home run in the 12th inning.

The 8-7 victory, coupled with the Red Sox ninth-inning loss in Baltimore that same evening, clinched the AL Wild Card for the Rays. The Rays had trailed the Red Sox by nine games in early September.

Johnson’s agent, Bobby Barad, said the Rays were one of several teams that expressed interest in Johnson throughout the offseason.

“I guess they decided to go in a different direction,” Johnson said.

Johnson began 2011 as the Rays Opening Day first baseman, but lost the job to Casey Kotchman after hitting .115 in his first 25 games. Johnson said his offensive struggles were the result of nerve damage to his right wrist, the result of being struck there with a pitch during a mid-April game against the Twins. The injury prevented Johnson from doing anything more than slap at the ball.

Johnson’s swing gradually came back during his summer with the Bulls, where he hit .273 with 13 home runs.

Recalled September 13, Johnson was hitless in his previous 21 at-bats with the Rays, a stretch that dated back to April 27.

Johnson hit 11 home runs during his Rays career, seven of which either tied the score or gave the Rays the lead. Eight of those home runs came against the Red Sox and the Yankees.

Until his final home run as a Ray, Johnson was best remembered for his first at-bat as a Ray. It came on Sept. 9, 2008 in Boston when he faced Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon in the ninth inning. With the Rays down a run and clinging to a half-game lead over the second-place Red Sox, Johnson homered to tie the score and spark a ninth-inning, game-winning rally.

“There’s a lot of memories there,” Johnson said of playing in Tampa Bay.

While he was surprised to be designated for assignment after the end of the 2011 season, Johnson said he does not harbor any ill feelings toward the Rays.

“It’s a business,” he said. “Obviously I had some great times with them, but that’s how it worked out.”

 

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INF Canzler traded to Indians for cash

Posted Jan 31, 2012 by Roger Mooney

Updated Jan 31, 2012 at 12:01 PM

ROGER MOONEY

The Rays traded infielder Russ Canzler to the Indians today for cash considerations.

Canzler, 25, was the 2011 Most Valuable Player of the International League and received a September call-up to the Rays. He appeared in three games as a pinch-hitter and designated hitter and had one hit.

Canzler was designated for assignment Friday to clear room on the 40-man roster for veteran utility infielder Jeff Keppinger.

He was drafted in the 30th round by the Chicago Cubs in 2004 and signed as a minor league free agent by Tampa Bay in November 2010.

Playing above Double A for the first time in his career, Canzler hit .314 with 18 home runs and 83 RBIs last season for the Triple A Durham Bulls. Canzler led the IL in doubles (40) and slugging percentage (.530), finished second in runs (78) and third in hits (149). He appeared in 41 games in right field, 33 in left, 40 at third base and 17 at first.

A native of manager Joe Maddon’s hometown of Hazleton, PA., Canzler was the fifth Bull to win the IL MVP award, following Steve Cox (1999), Toby Hall (2001), Kevin Witt (2006) and Dan Johnson (2010).

His lone big league hit came in his first at-bat, a single of Aaron Laffey at Yankee Stadium. He drove in his lone RBI later that night with a sacrifice fly.

The right-handed hitting Canzler will have a better chance of making the Indians Opening Day roster than he would the Rays. Keppinger, who can also play third base, gives the Rays a right-handed bat off the bench. Luke Scott will serve as backup to first baseman Carlos Peña.

 

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Ruggiano declines assignment to Durham, opts for free agency

Posted Jan 30, 2012 by Roger Mooney

Updated Jan 30, 2012 at 05:42 PM

ROGER MOONEY

Justin Ruggiano cleared waivers Monday and declined an assignment to Triple A Durham, opting instead for free agency.

“I think I served my time there,” Ruggiano said. “I think it’s time for some fresh eyes to see me if I ever have a chance at a big league career.”

The 29-year-old outfielder came to the Rays from the Dodgers organization in July 2006 as the player to be named later in the trade involving Toby Hall and Dioner Navarro.

He appeared with the Rays in parts of four of the past five seasons, batting a combined .226 with six home runs and 23 RBIs in 98 games with the big club. Ruggiano was recalled in September 2010 but did not see any action.

He is Durham’s all-time hits (531) and RBIs (300) leader.

Ruggiano was DFA’d last February when the Rays signed Johnny Damon, cleared waivers and accepted an assignment to Durham, where he began the 2011 season. He was recalled May 20 and spent the rest of the season on the major league roster, playing in 46 games. He hit .271 with four home runs and 12 RBIs in the games he started.

Accepting this assignment would have meant another Opening Day with the Bulls.

“It wasn’t an easy decision,” Ruggiano said. “It was definitely a fun group to be around up and down the organization.”

 

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INF Canzler designated for assignment

Posted Jan 27, 2012 by Roger Mooney

Updated Jan 27, 2012 at 10:37 PM

ROGER MOONEY

INF Russ Canzler was designated for assignment Friday to clear room on the 40-man roster for INF Jeff Keppinger.

Canzler can resign with the Rays if he clears waivers. If so, he will be reassigned to Triple A Durham.

Canzler, who joined the Rays organization as a minor league free agent last offseason, was the International League MVP after batting .314 for the Bulls with 18 home runs and 83 RBIs.

In his first year playing above the Double A level, Canzler was the Bulls MVP and was named to the IL’s mid-season and post-season all-star games.

Canzler was called up to the Rays on Sept. 11. He appeared in three games as a pinch-hitter each time and had one hit.

 

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Keppinger: “defense is defense” and some of his other thoughts since joining the Rays

Posted Jan 27, 2012 by Roger Mooney

Updated Jan 27, 2012 at 04:40 PM

ROGER MOONEY

New Rays infielder Jeff Keppinger, who today signed a one-year, $1.525 million deal with incentives, spoke to the Rays writers this afternoon.

Here is some of what he had to say:

On which positions he can play:
“I’m up for anything. I know there’s a lot of talk, people telling me I’m limited at playing certain positions, but I don’t feel that way. I go out and do the best that I can. If it’s something I can help out the team, then it’s something I look forward to doing.”

He has experience at second base, shortstop and third base, how about first base?
“Pretty much all my life I’ve played everywhere, including catcher. I don’t think that’s something I can do at the big league level, but basically defense is defense, catching the ball, throwing the ball. So I don’t really have any specific position that I would really pick over the other. I just do what I have to do to help the ball club.”

On his role this season:
“Talking with Joe (Maddon), he basically said there’s nothing really set. It’s kind of see how it’s going, see how the season’s going, see what the matchups are. If I fit in against certain righties I’ll play against certain righties. My numbers in my career have been good against lefties (.324 career batting average), so hopefully I’m in there against every lefty. That would be nice. They’re going to use me how they see fit.”

On being a bench player:
“I feel that’s kind of how my whole career has been. It’s always been something has happened because of an injury or maybe due to somebody not playing as well as the team had hoped, and that opened the door for me, and I took advantage of it, and it turned into a lot of starting time.”

On his career strikeout to walk ratio of 16.1, second-best among active players:
“I don’t know. It’s a good approach at the plate. I’m not a big guy, so I’m not a home run hitter so I don’t try to do too much. Basically, try to put the barrel on the ball.”

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INF Keppinger signs with Rays

Posted Jan 27, 2012 by Roger Mooney

Updated Jan 27, 2012 at 03:08 PM

ROGER MOONEY

The Rays signed infielder Jeff Keppinger today to a one-year, $1.525 million deal with incentives.

The free agent split the 2011 season between the Astros and the Giants. He was non-tendered by the Giants after the season. He spent time on the disabled list with both teams after having surgery on his left foot before Opening Day and injuring his right wrist after the trade.

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.

Keppinger will help the Rays against left-handed pitching. He is a career .324 hitter vs. lefties with a .371 on-base percentage and a .481 slugging percentage. He has struck out only 142 times in 2,287 career plate appearances, averaging the second most plate appearances per strikeout (16.1) among active players (minimum. 2,000 plate appearances) behind Juan Pierre.

“Jeff is a good player who fits our club well,” Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said.  “He is a tough out, especially against left-handers, and his contact skills bring a useful dimension to our roster. We also value his defensive versatility, which will allow him to make an impact in many different ways.”

The 31-year-old, who made $2.3 million in 2011, will 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.

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, getting those hits in his last five at-bats.

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