ST. PETERSBURG — Rays right-hander James Shields was arguably the best pitcher in interleague play last season, winning three of four starts and throwing three complete games against National League opponents.

But Shields shouldered the blame for Friday night’s 5-3 loss to Atlanta, with his two-out walk in the fifth inning and his throwing error sparking a two-run rally that gave the Braves the lead for good.

The loss, in front of 19,689 at Tropicana Field, was the Rays’ second in a row and fourth in their past five at home.

“Two-out walks are unacceptable,” Shields said. “It’s a terrible job by me. That changed the whole game. That was the game right there.”

The Rays had tied it in the third after falling behind 2-0. Shields settled into a rhythm, retiring nine of 10 batters in a stretch before the walk to Martin Prado. Shields then committed a throwing error trying to pick him off first base. Freddie Freeman then ripped a double to knock in Prado, and two batters later, catcher Brian McCann added an RBI single.

“I’ve got to do a better job as a pitcher to bear down and get that out,” Shields said. “I’m definitely going to put that loss on me tonight.”

The Braves struck first in the opening inning. Prado hit a double and Freeman followed with a single to score him. In the second, Braves third baseman Chipper Jones, bringing his farewell tour to the Trop, started a rally.

Jones, who received a standing ovation before his first at-bat, ripped a single to center, then came around to score on a two-out wild pitch by Shields.

Whether Jones plays again in this three-game series remains to be seen. He left the game in the seventh inning with a left calf bruise, having been hit in the left leg by a grounder in the third.

But the Rays bounced back, with Luke Scott and Jeff Keppinger hitting back-to-back singles in the bottom half of the first, putting runners on first and third. Elliot Johnson then laid down a perfect safety squeeze bunt down the first-base line to score one run.

In the third inning, Tampa Bay (24-16) tied it up, thanks to a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by Scott, who picked up three hits one night after stranding seven runners in Thursday’s loss to the Red Sox

Shields, who entered Friday’s game with a major-league-leading six wins, saw his pitch count rise quickly in the Braves’ two-run fifth, and he was pulled after six innings and 115 pitches.

“That was the moment right there,” Maddon said. “If we had gotten through that moment, it could have been a different night.”

Atlanta added an insurance run in the seventh, when Prado blasted a solo home run off reliever J.P. Howell.

Lefty Cesar Ramos got out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth, keeping the Rays within striking distance.

Scott had another RBI single in the eighth, but that was as close as Tampa Bay would get.

For Shields, it was his second loss in his last three starts.

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@tampabay.com.

ST. PETERSBURG — Sacrifice flies are far from flashy, and they won’t make many SportsCenter highlight reels.

But they score runs, and they were the story in the Rays’ 6-2 win over the Twins on Sunday in front of 26,507 at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay set a club record with four sacrifice flies, one shy of the single-game major-league record, in picking up its fourth win in its past five games.

“From the spectators’ perspective, it’s one of the most boring plays in all of baseball,” manager Joe Maddon said. “But from a dugout perspective, it’s very exciting. I cannot tell you how exciting it is to see that.”

Maddon might have been exaggerating a bit; the Rays dugout wasn’t exactly exploding with enthusiasm. But centerfielder B.J. Upton pointed out that since spring training, the No. 1 thing on hitters’ lists was doing better at scoring a runner from third with less than two outs. It’s something the Rays have struggled with, so a “productive out,” as Ben Zobrist calls a sacrifice fly, was much appreciated, considering Tampa Bay had a 2-0 lead in the fourth before getting their first hit off left-hander Francisco Liriano.

“I got to thinking about has there ever been a no-hitter and a loss?” third baseman Evan Longoria said. “Either way, we’re going to have to do those kind of plays to win games. We’re not a team that really is going to be able to rely on a three-run home run to win a whole lot of games.”

That was more than enough support for right-hander Jeff Niemann, who picked up his first win of the season, allowing just two runs and three hits over 5? innings. It came one day after Niemann said he got “chills” watching former Rice University teammate Phil Humber throw a perfect game Saturday for the White Sox.

“For a minute there, I didn’t think it was going to be real,” Niemann said. “It was fun seeing him go out there and do that. He put some pressure on me to do something myself.”

Niemann did his best Humber impression early on, carrying a no-hitter into the fifth until Clete Thomas broke it up with a single with two outs.

“It was weird, just with what Humber did the day before, and us being in college for three years together, pitching behind each other, it just kind of was almost, ‘Here it goes again,’ ” Niemann said. “It was fun.”

Some strong bullpen work by Jake McGee, who struck out Justin Morneau with the bases loaded in the fifth, and Fernando Rodney, who has finished all but one of the Rays’ wins, made the lead stick.

The Rays (9-7) started with two sacrifice flies in the third inning, when they loaded the bases with no outs before getting RBI flyouts by Desmond Jennings and Zobrist. In the fourth, Longoria doubled off the B-ring catwalk, advanced to third on a Jeff Keppinger flyout and scored on an Upton sacrifice fly to left, his first of two in the game. The Mariners were the last team to have as many sacrifice flies, recording five April 15, 2008, against the Royals.

“A sacrifice fly goes down as an RBI and no plate appearance,” said Jennings, who also hit a two-run homer. “So it’s a plus on both sides.”

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@tampabay.com.

The Tampa Bay Rays rallied for an impressive victory on Wednesday afternoon, scoring four in the ninth to beat the Detroit Tigers, 4-2.

After being held to one hit by Tigers ace Justin Verlander through the first eight innings, the Rays got three off him in the ninth, Evan Longoria singling in Desmond Jennings to tie it.

Jeff Keppinger got them started with a single. After Reid Brignac struck out, Jennings singled to right. Carlos Pena walked, with Keppinger scoring on a ball-four wild pitch. Longoria then singled in Jennings.

After the Tigers went to the bullpen, Elliot Johnson drew a walk and Ben Zobrist singled in two runs to put them ahead.

The Rays were stifled much of the afternoon, with just Zobrist’s fifth-inning single to show for their efforts.

James Shields pitched well for the Rays, allowing a first-inning run on a single by Miguel Cabrera, and the other in the fifth when he balked on a throw to third after Andy Dirks doubled and went to third on a ground out.

The Rays face the Tigers again on Thursday afternoon, with Jeff Niemann on the mound.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jeff Niemann will skip his scheduled start against the Boston Red Sox due to a blister.

Niemann recently won the final spot in the rotation over Wade Davis, but isn’t scheduled for his first regular-season start until April 11 or 12. At this point the Rays don’t expect the blister — which is on his middle finger, to be an issue then.

The Rays will use the bullpen to work Saturday’s game, with Kyle Farnsworth the likely starter. Wade Davis will see his first action out of the bullpen.

Also, manager Joe Maddon said RHP Fernando Rodney is still swollen and sore from being hit by a line drive on Wednesday and there is no date for his return to the mound but he should be ready to start the season.

Though Tampa Bay Rays CF B.J. Upton continues to feel better, today he acknowledged that being ready to open the season on April 6 is not likely.

“Definitely not at this point,” Upton said. “(But) it’s not out of the question.”

Upton, who has played in just part of one minor-league game since a March 14 outfield collision with Desmond Jennings, said Monday he was confident he would be ready for the opener. But manager Joe Maddon made it clear Upton would first have to get back on the field and go through some form of a spring training before being cleared to play.

Which led to Upton on Tuesday sounding much more resigned to not being ready at the start of the season. “If it doesn’t happen, so be it, there’s too much baseball to worry about one series of games. I just rather be healthy all year than try to rush back for a weekend or so.”

Also, “It’s just going to take time for me to get back into playing shape. I’m cool with it, whatever I have to do to get back and be healthy is what I’m going to do, so I don’t know.”

Upton said his lower back continues to get tight and at times “won’t loosen up.”

PORT CHARLOTTE — If nothing else, Rays pitcher David Price might have cleaned up in the race for oddest injury of the spring.

Price was forced to leave Thursday’s game with a neck spasm after toweling himself off too vigorously.

Seriously.

Call it over-toweling.

Price claimed he was simply drying his head in the dugout after his second inning against the Tigers and, well, let’s just let him tell it.

“The towel just catches the back of my head, and it pulls my neck forward,” he said. “I just felt it a little bit in back of my neck and just wanted to be cautious with it.

“There’s a little pop, and it just spasms up and gets a little tight.”

Amazingly, Price said this has happened to him twice before — last spring and in September — and it usually takes 2-3 days to work itself out.

Naturally, Rays manager Joe Maddon had some suggestions to avoid such issues in the future:

• The athletic training staff serves as “cornermen,” like legendary boxing trainer Angelo Dundee, for Price: “Get in there, towel him down, get in his face, the shroud of David, that kind of thing. Let’s stop having him towel himself down. We have plenty of people that can do that here.”

• More instruction and repetition such as how legendary basketball coach John Wooden had his players practice putting on their socks to avoid blisters: “David might need better technique when it comes to toweling himself down. He’s been doing it for 20-some years now but apparently doesn’t have it down yet.”

• Put it in the hands of home clubhouse/equipment manager Chris Westmoreland: “We might need more fabric softener in the towels.”

Price, who said he felt the best he had all spring on the mound, ended up throwing 38 pitches (24 strikes) over two innings, one less than scheduled. Neither he nor Maddon expect his schedule to be disrupted, though the incident was frustrating.

But not enough, of course, to throw in the towel.

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@tampabay.com.

Some of Fernando Rodney’s new Rays teammates call him Kimbo Slice, a nod to the reliever’s resemblance to the famous mixed martial arts star.

But though Rodney, 34, likes MMA, and is a picture of intensity on the mound, his disposition has been a lot lighter than a fighter’s in his first spring training with Tampa Bay. He has danced a little in the clubhouse and chuckled with teammates, his cap slanted to the side, before taking the mound for a pickoff drill.

“It’s like Little League in here,” Rodney says, smiling.

The Rays are hoping a change of scenery will help Rodney return to form as one of the league’s best late-inning relievers.

Rodney, who saved 37 games for Detroit in 2009 and is scheduled to appear against the Tigers today in Port Charlotte, is coming off a disappointing stint with the Angels after signing a two-year, $11 million deal. He lost the closer’s role early last season, hurt his back and was barely used down the stretch. He was so angry, he reportedly asked for a trade.

But Rodney has been happy so far with the Rays, with a locker next to good friend Joel Peralta and a more defined role as one of the setup men to closer Kyle Farnsworth. It’s why he signed a one-year, $2 million deal in the offseason.

“I feel good physically, mentally,” he said. ” … They told me my role is going to be at the end of the game. My role last year, I didn’t have a role, didn’t know when I was going into the game. When you’re in that situation … it’s hard.”

Rodney, a right-hander, still throws in the upper 90s and boasts “premium stuff,” executive vice president Andrew Friedman said. His changeup is still as good as it was in his Tigers years, catcher Chris Giminez said.

“His changeup is something silly — I mean, it’s the epitome of pulling the string,” Gimenez said. “He’s pretty consistent around the zone, getting a lot of swing and misses. That’s what he needs to do.”

Rodney posted a 4.50 ERA in 32 innings last season, his fewest since 2003. He missed six weeks due to a back injury, appearing in 14 games after May.

Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey said part of the issue was that Rodney wasn’t in the strike zone enough with his fastball, but that’s one of the more readily correctable things. Hickey also believes the culture of the clubhouse and team-first attitude can work in their favor.

“I’ve been extremely impressed with his physical conditioning, his willingness to do whatever it is that we’re doing,” Hickey said. “A lot of times, when guys are more veteran and have had some success, they tend to have their own program, and he’s basically on the same program that everybody is on, and that’s because he wants to. He fits in real well.”

Said manager Joe Maddon: “He’s going to be huge in our bullpen.”

Left-hander J.P. Howell has been impressed with how Rodney has carried himself during camp.

“He’s absolutely nasty,” Howell said. “He’s the most raw (34)-year-old ever. He still has that young spring in his ball, that you usually see from a young guy who hasn’t had a lot of innings. I hope I have that someday. It’s amazing.”

Said Friedman: “He only knows one gear. In live BP he’s throwing 98 (mph).”

Peralta has known Rodney since winter ball in 2004 and is often at his side during camp. He said his friend is comfortable in his new surroundings, ready to rebound. Rodney knows Farnsworth will be the closer, but he can fill in, too, when needed, and he likes the bullpen group around him.

“We have a good mix,” Rodney said. “I think we can do some damage.”

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@tampabay.com.

PORT CHARLOTTE — Desmond Jennings has created something of a quandary for himself.

He’d grown tired, coming up through the Rays minor-league system, of being called the next Carl Crawford. Then Jennings finally got the chance to play regularly in the majors the second half of last season and did so well people were comparing him to, well, Carl Crawford.

The pulsing speed, the game-changing defense, the flashes of power, the overall excitement were all somewhat similar to the Rays’ former All-Star leftfielder. Plus, with the added elements of patience at the plate and a willingness to embrace the leadoff role, Jennings quickly has become just as important as Crawford was to the Tampa Bay attack.

“I think he’s going to be pretty much the catalyst for the offense, and he showed that he has that ability last year,” Rays third baseman Evan Longoria said.

“You hate to compare guys to Carl Crawford because it’s so tough to compare someone both (in terms of) baseball talent and being athletically gifted. Carl was probably the most gifted player that I’ve ever played with, but Desmond is right up there. I think he’s just a little bit more raw than Carl was when we had him, but I think that can be there. So it’s really fun to watch him play.

“I think we’re very blessed to have him fill that void that Carl left because those are huge shoes to fill, and I think he’s done a great job doing it.”

Jennings, 25, says he is flattered he hears such praise. Humbled. Honored.

But …

“Don’t get me wrong, I’ll take all the Carl Crawford compliments I can get,” Jennings said. “If anybody wants to tell me I’m as athletic or as gifted as Carl, I’ll take that all day. But that’s just not me. … I respect CC — he was a great player. I love him and what he did for me when he was here. … I just want, I don’t know, it’s just like I hear it so much, I’ve heard it so much.

“I just want to be me.”

The Rays will take that, at least the Jennings they saw for the first six weeks after his late July promotion, when he posted a .351 average in 35 games, with a .439 on-base and .634 slugging percentage for a 1.073 OPS. Then he cooled — or got tired, or was exposed by opposing pitchers — over the final 28 games, hitting just .150 with a .256 on-base, .230 slugging and .486 OPS.

Jennings said he didn’t want to make excuses — “I just stopped hitting” — but felt he lost a bit of his aggressiveness and was taking too many strikes.

Manager Joe Maddon believes the dropoff was more fatigue — physical and mental — and that Jennings will be better for having gone through it.

“To play that many games under that kind of scrutiny, he’s not used to that, combined with whatever he was feeling and having to be that catalyst for us, eventually that can wear you out if you’ve never done that before,” Maddon said.

“Coming into this season, he’s been stretched mentally. So when he gets to that moment this year he’ll be more familiar with it and I think he’ll handle it better.”

Still, it was a solid start, and a good foundation for Jennings to build off of going into what will be his first full season in the majors.

Jennings finished at .259/.356/.449/.805, led the Rays in runs (44), hits (64) and steals (20) and was second in homers (10) from the time of his callup, and he became the first American League rookie since 2003 with 10 homers and 20 steals.

About those CC comparisons?

Crawford sees it, too.

“I thought Desmond had a good year once he got called up. He did pretty good,” Crawford said at Red Sox camp. “That was about what I thought. He had some power and he stole a few bases. He’s a good athlete, he just needs time to develop into a good player. I know what that is all about.”

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@tampabay.com.

PORT CHARLOTTE — The details have not yet been made official, but the Tampa Bay Rays players like what they’ve heard of the plans to expand the playoffs to include a second wild-card team in each league.

“I think it’s exciting,” Rays 3B and player rep Evan Longoria said. “It’s exciting for all of us. .. I think the goal was to allow more teams to have a chance in the end, to hold on to those playoff hopes for longer.”

Longoria said the players are all for the idea. “I think it was pretty unanimous around the league that the more playoff spots the better,” he said. “Once you get into the playoffs it’s more revenue for the ballclub, it’s more excitement for the players, so I think it would be a no-brainer for everybody.”

The idea of a one-game “playoff” between the two wild-card teams, however, does raise some concerns.

“I wouldn’t mind two out of three, but at least it gives you a shot to get in,” RHP James Shields said.

“I don’t think anybody’s “comfortable” with it – it’s an uncomfortable feeling going into any game that you know you could go home, your season could end,” Longoria said. “But at the same time, it’s exciting – you’re in the playoffs now.”

“It’s cruel,” OF Sam Fuld said, “but it’s going to be an exciting night.”

Just call him Mr. January. Again.

While executive VP Andrew Friedman has explored numerous ways to improve the Rays offense in filling the first base and DH spots, he is comfortable going into next month before making any big deals, much as he did last offseason.

The way the Rays see it, patience is not only a virtue but even an advantage.

Without financial resources to pre-empt the free agent market, the Rays are accustomed to waiting to bargain shop as prices drop.

“We’re not in the right revenue environment to be able to not be patient,” Friedman said.

Plus, by waiting, they feel they get a broader look at all possibilities, with additional trade opportunities being presented as other teams reassess their plans.

“It can be very valuable to wait,” Friedman said. “So it’s not all bad.”

While several free agents have come off the board (Carlos Beltran, Josh Willingham) and other teams have traded starting pitchers (Gio Gonzalez, Mat Latos), the Rays feel good about their remaining possibilities.

What they have to consider, given a limited amount of payroll flexibility and some lesser priorities (another catcher and reliever), is what amounts to a series of paths to head down.

For example, if they land a big-bucks DH, they’d likely have to fill first base by trading for a young, minimum-salaried player (San Diego’s Anthony Rizzo? L.A. Angels’ Mark Trumbo?). If they invest in a veteran first baseman (Carlos Peña?), they’d more likely have to fill the DH slot with complementary pieces.

So, as usual with the Rays, it’s not a simple process.

“Once the first domino falls, it will certainly limit the scope for us,” Friedman said. “Right now we have so many different ways we can go, we’re trying to figure out which way to go and where to lock in first.”

PROSPECTING: After the obvious choice of LHP Matt Moore as No. 1, Baseball America‘s top 10 prospects ranking got interesting, with SS Hak-Ju Lee second, 2011 top pick RHP Taylor Guerrieri fourth, SS Tim Beckham re-emerging at No. 7 and the disappearance of 2010 first-rounder OF Josh Sale. Writer Bill Ballew lauded the overall depth but cited a “lack of top-shelf prospects” after Moore and Lee and said the Rays were no longer in MLB’s top three.

RAYS RUMBLINGS: RHP Joel Peralta is skipping winter ball at the Rays’ request, agent Mark Gilling said, but is working out daily and has lost a few pounds. … C Robinson Chirinos, who broke his right wrist in October, is taking batting practice in Venezuela and looks to start playing games in January. … Latest chatter aside, ex-Yankee Jorge Posada sounds like much more of a backup plan. … OF prospect Todd Glaesmann‘s Australian Baseball League stint ended early due to a right wrist injury, but he is expected to be ready for spring training. … Former C Toby Hall, who announced his retirement last week, hopes eventually to manage. … Jason Grey, most recently an ESPN.com fantasy baseball blogger, was hired as a pro scout. … Triple-A Durham pitching coach Neil Allen interviewed for the Boston job that went to Bob McClure. … RHP James Shields turned 30 on Tuesday, so if he stays with the Rays, his likely opening day outing would end their streak of starts by pitchers under 30 at 764. … Rays players won two mlb.com GIBBYs (Greatness in Baseball Yearly awards): Dan Johnson’s Game 162-tying pinch-hit homer was top “moment” (edging Derek Jeter‘s 3,000th hit); and Evan Longoria‘s Game 162-winning homer was top walkoff.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Wednesday, December 7, 2011

DALLAS — The Rays are working on multiple scenarios via trades and free-agent signings to bolster their offense and fill holes at first base and DH.

But in the unlikely event none were to come to fruition this offseason — with nothing close as of Tuesday night, anyway — they have at least an interesting backup plan, with the signing of Juan Miranda to a minor-league contract with a spring training invite.

“Extreme power,” Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman said.

Miranda, a 28-year-old from Cuba, has spent most of his five pro seasons at Triple A but has big-league time with the Yankees (2008-10) and Diamondbacks (2011). He hit 67 homers in 457 minor-league games (with a .277 average) and 11 in 111 big-league games (with a .226 average), though seven in 65 for Arizona in 2011.

“He’s got some real carrying strengths that we feel like give him a chance to be a productive major-league player; obviously the standard at that position is higher than other positions,” Friedman said. “(He) will either compete for a job depending on how the rest of the winter shakes out or be very high on the depth charge in the event of injury.”

The Rays also signed INF Matt Mangini, who had some big-league time with Seattle in 2010; and RHPs Jhonny Nunez (White Sox, ’09) and Ricky Orta (returning from injury).

Friedman had a busy second day at the winter meetings and said they were “talking to a number of offensive players.” But with nothing imminent, it would appear Monday’s pursuit of free-agent OF/DH Josh Willingham had at least stalled and that the Rays were not sitting on any trade offers they were ready to accept without further talks.

The Reds and Royals appear to be good trade matches, as well as the Marlins, who if they sign Albert Pujols would seem likely to move All-Star 1B Gaby Sanchez, with RHP Wade Davis a potential target.

There was another round of chatter about the Nationals’ longstanding — and unsuccessful — quest for Rays CF B.J. Upton, but no progress. While Friedman wouldn’t comment, Washington GM Mike Rizzo told reporters, “I don’t think anything has changed.”

Also, the Rays will be among the teams scouting free-agent reliever Joel Zumaya at his workout next week; are not the mystery team that bid on Japanese free agent INF Hiroyuki Nakajima; were not among the teams that job-seeking free agent Manny Ramirez supposedly personally called; won’t likely re-sign free-agent RHP Juan Cruz; and don’t plan many changes to their minor-league coaching staffs.

RED ALERT: Pujols had reported offers for $200-plus million over 10 years from at least the Marlins and Cardinals and was said to be nearing a decision. … DH David Ortiz is reportedly set to rejoin the Red Sox by agreeing to accept arbitration (and a raise from $12.5 million) by tonight’s deadline. … The Jays added a closer by acquiring RHP Sergio Santos (30 saves, 3.55 ERA) from the White Sox for RHP prospect Nestor Molina. … The Twins traded RHP Kevin Slowey to Colorado for a player to be named. … RHPs Jon Rauch and Frank Francisco agreed to terms with the Mets, who also traded OF Angel Pagan to the Giants for OF Andres Torres and RHP Ramon Ramirez.

MISCELLANY: The BBWAA voted to televise the announcement of its major awards for the first time, starting in 2012 on the MLB Network. … Toronto Sun writer Bob Elliott was elected to the Hall of Fame.

[Last modified: Dec 06, 2011 11:59 PM]

Click here for reuse options!

Copyright 2011 St. Petersburg Times

You must enable javascript to view and add comments.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Tuesday, December 6, 2011

DALLAS — The Rays had a busy first day at the winter meetings, talking trade with several teams and negotiating with free agents including outfielder/DH Josh Willingham.

While no deals were considered imminent, it did appear by Monday night that their top two decision-makers would be sticking around.

Manager Joe Maddon said talks on an extension to his contract, which runs only through the 2012 season, have begun and he was “very confident” a new deal would be struck. “I’m sure it’s going to be all worked out in due time,” Maddon said.

And executive vice president Andrew Friedman eliminated any possibility — albeit extremely slim anyway — that he would leave for a job with his hometown Astros.

“Andrew chose not to be a part of the Astros’ process,” team president Matt Silverman said in a statement. “It is in no way a reflection on the Houston organization.”

The Rays’ top offseason goal is improving their offense, with Willingham, a free agent with a solid record of success, emerging Monday as a possibility.

Willingham, a right-handed hitter who turns 33 in February, hit a career-high 29 homers for Oakland last year, with a .246 average, .332 on-base percentage and .477 slugging percentage. He can play left and right, but the Rays likely would use him primarily as a DH, a significant power upgrade over free agent Johnny Damon, who hit 16 homers.

But the number of other teams interested — reportedly at least three others — and the amount they’d be willing to spend may dictate the direction of the talks. Willingham made $6 million last season, with his agent reportedly seeking a three-year deal.

Another option is trading with one of the numerous teams that have expressed interest in their stable of starting pitchers, primarily James Shields and Wade Davis. The Royals, Marlins and Reds — who all have young hitters — are among those in the conversations.

Overall, Friedman said of the first day: “It’s been busy.” As for the possibilities of a deal? “It’s something that kind of vacillates by the minute. There were times (Monday) where I was pretty optimistic about certain things and then different times where I was a lot more pessimistic.”

Maddon has been optimistic about staying with the Rays past the coming season, but Monday was the first indication there have been discussions.

Maddon, who just won his second AL manager of the year award, would seem to be in line to at least double his current salary of about $1.3 million, which is in the bottom third of current managers.

“We’ve been talking a little bit in general, it’s just basic stuff,” Maddon said. “I’m a Ray. I have a lot of faith in being a Ray as I continue along. I’ve talked about that this for me is the best place to work in major-league baseball. Of course, everybody is looking for security, we all want security.

“For me it’s just about having an open conversation. We never would negotiate in public, anything like that. It’s just about an ongoing conversation right now, and we’ll see how it all or when it plays out. But I’m not worried about anything.”

Friedman, per policy, wouldn’t discuss the status of negotiations, but said, “My expectation is to work with Joe for a long time.”

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@tampabay.com.

[Last modified: Dec 05, 2011 10:36 PM]

Click here for reuse options!

Copyright 2011 St. Petersburg Times

You must enable javascript to view and add comments.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Sunday, November 20, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays appear to have crossed one thing off their offseason checklist, as they’re reportedly close to a deal with free agent C Jose Molina.

If and when the deal becomes official, possibly this week, it’s a move that would make sense for Tampa Bay.

Molina, 36, has been a backup primarily during his 12-year career, but he fits well with the kind of catching platoon the Rays desire. He’s very strong defensively, ranking fourth among active catchers by throwing out 40 percent of attempted basestealers. He handles pitching staffs well, which is important with the Rays’ prized rotation. Molina has a wealth of experience in the American League East, having played for the Yankees and Blue Jays the past five years, and could be a valuable mentor for rookies Jose Lobaton and Robinson Chirinos. He has won two World Series, one with Anaheim in 2002 along with Rays manager Joe Maddon, who is a big fan.

And considering that Molina made just $1.2 million last year in Toronto, he falls in Tampa Bay’s price range. Foxsports.com reported the discussed Molina deal would be for one year plus an option for 2013. The Rays declined C Kelly Shoppach‘s $3.2 million option for next season, and though both sides were open for a reunion, a signing of the right-handed hitting Molina would end that.

Like Shoppach, Molina isn’t a big offensive threat (his career high is six homers), but he’s coming off a strong season in which he hit .281 for Toronto in 55 games; Shoppach hit .176 last year. The most games Molina has started in a season is 81 (in 2008 with the Yankees), but executive VP Andrew Friedman said early last week it was more likely the Rays would go with a platoon situation anyway.

“It’s just a demanding position,” Friedman said. “Basically a 100-60/62 (split). Who knows? We might get into a situation 80-80. It depends on the players involved.”

The Rays’ other options are Lobaton, whom they like but who was hampered by a knee sprain and hit .118 in 15 games last season; Chirinos, who showed flashes but likely needs more minor-league time; and John Jaso, who took a step back last year.

The signing of Molina wouldn’t be splashy, but it could be a solid one. Recent history has shown it doesn’t hurt to have a Molina brother on your roster, as they’ve played for the past three World Series champions (Jose with the Yankees in 2009, Bengie with the Giants and Rangers in 2010 and Yadier with the Cardinals last season).

PITCHING IN: It was a big week for the Rays rotation, with RHP Jeremy Hellickson winning American League rookie of the year Monday and RHP James Shields finishing third in the AL Cy Young voting Tuesday. And though there will be speculation all offseason that the Rays will trade from their surplus of starting pitching, Friedman maintained that’s not a foregone conclusion.

“It’s something that I expect that we’ll get a lot of inquiries,” Friedman said. “It’s not something that we’re flippant about. We’re not sitting in our internal meetings and talking about how we have too much starting pitching. Obviously if someone puts something forward that’s compelling, we owe it to everyone to talk through it. But I wouldn’t necessarily count on it.”

RAYS RUMBLINGS: The Rays are still looking at options at first base and DH as well as finding a couple of relievers. … The Rays remain interested in talking with DH Johnny Damon and 1B Casey Kotchman, and potentially bringing them back: “They are very prominent in our discussions right now as we’re going through things,” Friedman said. “I expect that will continue.” … According to Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes, ex-Rays LHP Scott Kazmir will pitch in the Dominican Winter League with the Escogido Lions.

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@tampabay.com.

[Last modified: Nov 19, 2011 08:06 PM]

Click here for reuse options!

Copyright 2011 St. Petersburg Times

You must enable javascript to view and add comments.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Friday, November 18, 2011

Two more wild-card teams will be added to the major-league playoffs, and the Rays could be one of the biggest benefactors.

The Rays have always found themselves in the difficult position of trying to make the postseason while competing in the American League East against the Yankees and Red Sox — and their mammoth payrolls. It took a September comeback and a historic Boston collapse for the Rays to clinch a wild-card berth on the final day of this past season

But commissioner Bud Selig announced Thursday at the meetings in Milwaukee that owners approved adding a second wild-card team to each league, with hopes that a new playoff format can begin next season. It’s possible the expanded field might not start until 2013, when the Astros are scheduled to move from the NL Central to the AL West, a realignment that will form two 15-team leagues and lead to interleague play throughout the season. The Astros’ move was approved by owners along with the $615 million purchase of the franchise by Jim Crane.

“We believe after a lot of study and a lot of thought that the addition of two wild cards will really help us in the long run,” Selig said.

The altered playoff structure is subject to an agreement on a new labor contract with the players’ association, which is expected before the current deal expires Dec. 11.

The idea of adding another playoff team to each league had been discussed the past two years. Selig said details and scheduling haven’t been sorted out for the new format, but it’s likely that the two wild-card teams in each league would play each other in a one-game playoff, with the winner moving on to the division series.

That means the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays could all make the playoffs in the same season.

“With the fact of how competitive our division is, I like the fact that we add another element to it,” Rays hitting coach Derek Shelton said. “It should make October even more interesting.”

The Rays have made the playoffs three of the past four seasons, including winning two AL East titles. But with their payroll at least one-quarter the size of Boston and New York, whom the Rays play 18 times each per season, it continues to be a challenging task.

“We are in favor of any change that might help improve competitive balance,” Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said. “And this at least does something to further that.”

In other Rays news, the team appears close to signing veteran free agent catcher Jose Molina. FoxSports.com reported that the sides are nearing a one-year deal with an option for 2013. The Rays declined comment. Molina, 36, has been primarily a backup during his 12-year big-league career, but he would provide strong defense and experience. He hit .281 in only 55 games for the Blue Jays last season and has thrown out 40 percent of attempted base-stealers in his career.

Astros sale spurs league realignment

HOUSTON — Owners unanimously approved the long-delayed sale of the Astros from Drayton McLane to Crane, a transaction that requires the team to move from the NL Central to the AL West in 2013.

As part of the Astros’ agreement to switch leagues, the sale price was cut from $680 million to $615 million, the Associated Press reported. The deal is expected to be completed Tuesday.

“We’re focused on bringing a winner back to Houston,” said Crane, who added that staff changes will be made after Thanksgiving.

It’s baseball’s first realignment since the Milwaukee Brewers went to the NL after the 1997 season.

With an odd number of teams in each league, there will be interleague play from April through September. Since interleague games began in 1997, they had been concentrated around May and late June.

Sveum to pilot Cubs

The Cubs hired Dale Sveum as their new manager, hoping the Brewers hitting coach can help turn around the long-suffering franchise.

Sveum will be introduced at a news conference today at Wrigley Field, the team announced.

Sveum replaces Mike Quade, who was fired by Theo Epstein, the new president of baseball operations. The Cubs finished 71-91 after a disappointing season that extended their title drought to 103 seasons.

Sveum, who turns 48 Wednesday, has little experience as a manager, other than an interim stint with the Brewers late in 2008 after Ned Yost was fired. Sveum was chosen for the job over Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux, Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin, Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. and Red Sox bench coach DeMarlo Hale. Former Red Sox manager Terry Francona pulled himself out of contention.

Phillies: Catcher Brian Schneider, the 34-year-old backup to Carlos Ruiz, re-signed with the club, getting a one-year, $800,000 deal in which he can earn an additional $200,000 in performance bonuses.

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com. Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

[Last modified: Nov 17, 2011 11:08 PM]

Click here for reuse options!

Copyright 2011 St. Petersburg Times

You must enable javascript to view and add comments.