Rays Blog

Carlos Pena is back in a Rays uniform.  He had most of his best years with the team and now he’ll be back at first base for the Rays.  He’ll make $7.25 million. It’s hard to believe he’s only 33  because it seems like he’s been around forever.

I like the one year deal because it makes it very low risk.  His best season is a few years behind him when he had a 1.037 OPS in 2007 but he’s had an OPS+ over 120 in four of the past five seasons.  Last year with the Cubs, he hit 28 home runs but like usual, he hit just .225.  He did draw more then 100 walks for the second time in his career though.

Durability can be an issue but his 153 games last year were the most of his career.  He usually good for around 140 games though so if he can produce, he’s good.  His defense has diminished the past few years so we’ll see if he can continue to handle first base as well as he has in the past.

The Rays signed a couple of big names and one new Ray to one year deals to avoid going to the arbitration table with these players.  B.J. Upton, David Price and Burke Badenhop all signed deals today.

B.J. Upton got the biggest pay day although he’s the furthers along in his MLB career.  He’ll be paid $7 million.  David Price will get $4.35 million and reliever Burke Badenhop will get just over one million.  I like the Price deal a ton but I think that’s a little too much for Upton.  Still, I’ll take it.

J.P. Howell signed yesterday so that leaves Jeff Niemann as the lone arbitration eligible player to sign.