Ooh, looky what Maddon bought himself as a present after his contract extension.
“Maddon told Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times that he initially wanted a Charger or a Roadrunner or a Barracuda, but couldn’t find one and ended up choosing the BelAir over a 1957 Chevy Nomad.”
Joe Maddon, the Mayor of Tropicana Field on Foursquare, on signing the extension that will keep him at head of the Rays’ bench through 2015. I’ve heard people say that Maddon looks better simply because of the glut of young talent on Tampa Bay’s roster, which is a pretty superficial argument.
(via oldtimefamilybaseball)
(via michael-danger)
via MLBTR
The Rays have agreed to a three-year contract extension with manager Joe Maddon, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. Maddon’s contract had been set to expire after 2012, and the sides had been working on an extended agreement over the course of the offseason. An announcement is expected tomorrow, according to Topkin.
Maddon, the 2011 American League Manager of the Year, has managed the Rays to three playoff berths in the past four seasons, including an AL pennant in 2008. In six years under the 57-year-old Maddon, the Rays have a 495-477 record.
The Rays won first place in the top countdown on Clubhouse Confidential for signings in the offseason by signing Matt Moore to a 5-year/$14M deal. Of course, it could be a total package for 8-year/$40M.
The front office that has taken sabermetrics to the next, next level is what MLB Network is saying about the Rays.
Submitted by: Anon
via MLBTR
The Rays beat Jeff Niemann in yesterday’s arbitration hearing, so the right-hander will earn a salary of $2.75MM in 2012, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. Niemann and his agents at Hendricks Sports had filed for $3.2MM, while the Rays had countered with $2.75MM, as
(J. Meric/Getty Images)
A decision will be announced today in Jeff Niemann’s arbitration hearing.
Niemann wanted $3.2 million and the Rays offered him $2.75 million.
!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOHOOOOO
(Source: mlbtraderumors.com)
In a day and age of Pujols, Wilson, and Reyes, it’s nice to have guys like Pena, Wood, and Rollins.
But, Jeff Keppinger’s contract got finalized and he was signed for $ 1.25 million.
Ballin’ on a budget!
Batting against left-handed pitching at the bottom of the batting order problem solved.
VIA MLBTR
The Rays are closing in on a Major League deal with infielder Jeff Keppinger, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. The team will likely finalize an agreement with the CSE client by the end of the week.
Keppinger posted a .277/.300/.377 line in 399 plate appearances for the Astros and Giants in 2011. The 31-year-old only played second base last year, but he has started 80-plus games at shortstop and third base in his seven-year career. Keppinger earned $2.3MM last year and would have obtained a raise through arbitration, so the Giants non-tendered him in December, holding onto Mike Fontenot instead.
Just when we thought Friedman & Co. were done making additions, we are close to adding this man to our roster. He will be a nice addition to the middle infield.
His lifetime batting average is .281 over 7 seasons. Keppinger has one of the lowest strikeout rates in MLB, so he is known as a contact hitter. It is a well-known fact that the Rays have issues with left-handing pitching, and Keppinger flourishes against them.
Remember over a year ago when I posted about Chicago getting to see this smile for that next year and being really sad over it?
Well, that doesn’t matter anymore because HE’S BAAAACKKKKK!!!! Tampa Bay loves Carlos. Everyone at work is overjoyed.
He agrees to a 1-year, $7.25M deal.
Howell agrees to a one-year, $1.35M deal. He could also earn an extra $50,000 based on innings pitched.
“I’m extremely pleased to have this deal done. It’s been a pleasure through this three-year arbitration (eligibility). The goal in day one of camp for me, and I’m sure everyone in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, is to never, ever lose focus of our process. Our process can win championships, and that’s the goal.”
and agreed to a one-year contract with us worth $2.175M.
Last year he made $925,000 and threw 68 innings with a 2.93 ERA and 61/18 K/BB ratio, 0.916 WHIP.
