3:20pm: Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times says Shoppach is guaranteed $5.55MM – $2.25MM in '10, $3MM in '11, and a $3.2MM club option with a $300K buyout for '12 (the option year has incentives).
10:30am: Rays catcher Kelly Shoppach signed a two-year, $5.5MM deal to avoid arbitration, writes ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. Crasnick says the deal also includes a club option on Shoppach's first free agent season, 2012. Shoppach was acquired by the Rays with cash from the Indians on December 1st; the Rays ended up sending pitcher Mitch Talbot to Cleveland.
For what it's worth, Shoppach's top Baseball-Reference comparable is Colorado's Chris Iannetta. Iannetta will earn $6.1MM for his last two arb years, writes Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post. Other comparisons: Chris Snyder earns $7.75MM over his last two arbitration years and Ryan Doumit gets $8.65MM. It's a reasonable price for the Rays, but they lose the advantage of going year-to-year with Shoppach.
I think it’s a fine deal. Shoppach is a solid catcher, who has pop and can play his position.
I think it’s a fine deal. Shoppach is a solid catcher, who has pop and can play his position.
Last year it was Michel, this year its Kelly. Female names are the Rays way. Well, I know you won’t hit .300, I know you will K a ton so please just hit a lot of homers.
Last year it was Michel, this year its Kelly. Female names are the Rays way. Well, I know you won’t hit .300, I know you will K a ton so please just hit a lot of homers.
If Shoppach can bounce back, he could be VERY good for the price. He could also be a trade chip if Navarro bounces back.
AIn’t that a bit too much? But i could see Shoppach pounding out some home runs…he gives a bit more power to the rays line-up…( not that they needed it )