Outfielder Justin Ruggiano will decline his outright assignment and become a free agent, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports on Twitter. The Rays had designated him for assignment last week.
"It was a tough decision but in the end I had to do what was best for my career," Ruggiano said, according to Topkin.
Ruggiano appeared in 46 games for the Rays last year, playing all three outfield positions. The 29-year-old posted a .248/.273/.400 line in 111 plate appearances. Ruggiano, who also played for the Rays in 2007-08, is not yet arbitration eligible.
The Mets should definitely look at this guy as a potential outfielder for them.
No offense, but a 29YO guy who has never really hit the big time, other than in the minors.. Has earned the AAAA label and many teams sign these kind of guys every year. They play a roulette wheel kind of game every year with them and not making fun of him personally.
He will probably end up with another organization, go to ST, get sent down and if he’s lucky? get called up for a handful of games again.
very few of these people get to stick around for half a season or more.
No offense taken, I’ve seen this guy play and he always seemed pretty steady as a player. Good tools. Somebody needs to give him a shot. The great play of Desmond Jennings has pushed him out of the Rays future plans. He’s still a decent ball player capable of playing in the big leauges. He’s just not a potential star like Jennings. The Rays don’t even miss Carl Crawford.
I agree, that would be a good move.