The Rays exercised Kyle Farnsworth's 2012 option while declining Kelly Shoppach's, according to the Tampa Tribune (on Twitter). Farnsworth obtains a $3.3MM salary instead of a $650K buyout and Shoppach obtains a $300K buyout instead of a $3.2MM salary.
Farnsworth posted a 2.18 ERA with 8.0 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9 in 57 2/3 innings out of the bullpen in 2011. Shoppach, 31, hit just .176/.268/.339 in 253 plate appearances, but he led the league by preventing 41% of stolen base attempts. The Rays will look to get more offense from behind the plate in 2012.
Shoppach to Detroit!
You mean the Orioles have to do battle with the Tigers with another player?
UGH!
1st you get Victor Martinez for 2011
Also, I hear Oswalt wants to go to Detroit
Now Shoppach!
Our next GM better have the ability to sell Ice to Eskimos, they are going to need that skill to succeed!
Where did you hear Oswalt wants to go to Detroit?
Ken Davidoff’s predictions1 yr @ 9 million.
@mgsports:disqus
Roy Oswalt
Maybe poor choice of words…. it was a prediction by Ken. Roy hasn’t stated what he wants to do
I have watched this guy for two years and he hit .186 in those two years. He is not they guy you want on your team. His stick will kill you and his defense is sub par. If Detroit gets him I would not be happy if I were you.
If the Pirates sign Shoppach, I will be disappoint. He strikes me as a guy they will fall in love with, and he stinks.
Tampa may be a catcher away from winning the division again, they sure have the pitching.
one of lobaton and chirinos ought to be able to get the job done
interesting choice. given the volatility of a guy like farnsworth, i might have been tempted to decline and offer arbitration
Who then should they get? Posada?
Chirinos is more than capable of doing the job He just need more at bats to gain some confidence that he can hit at major league level. If the Rays instead of given Shopach 200 at ba would have given half to Chirinos he would have been ready for the next season.
Shoppach is a great defensive catcher, but he can’t hit. It’s feast or famine with him most of the time. Jaso just isn’t cutting it either. I wouldn’t mind seeing Posada come on as backup catcher and DH. Although I also hope they resign Kotchman and Damon as well. Chirinos and Lobaton are okay options, but we really need a catcher and shortstop that can actually hit.
Please no to Posada as a catcher. His defense would take away any value his offense could add.
Rays will pick up Posada for 1 million and he gets to play catcher.
These options are eating into Tampa’s miniscule payroll…. BJ Upton should prolly be unloaded to save salary.
These options are eating into Tampa’s miniscule payroll…. BJ Upton should prolly be unloaded to save salary.