The Rays have officially exercised their 2013 club options for James Shields, Fernando Rodney, and Jose Molina, the team announced. They also declined their option for Luke Scott.
Both Molina ($1.8MM) and Shields ($10.25MM) were expected to have their options picked up. The 35-year-old Rodney pitched to a 0.60 ERA with 48 saves this year, so his $2.5MM option was a no-brainer. Scott, 34, hit .229/.285/.439 with 14 homers and will receive a $1MM buyout rather than a $6MM salary.
Now Re-Sign Scott for 2 million as a insurance policy at DH. Trade for A-Rod to platoon at 1b with Scott. Re-Sign Keppinger for 3 years 8 million and find a way to pick up another bat.
Yeah, I’m gonna bet Scott is back, just on a lesser contract. Definitely Kepp as well, although I’d say it would be 2 yrs, not 3. Heck no on A-Rod though, probably cost to much (either in cash or prospects depending on how much the Yankees pick up), and is way too long of a contract left for him to be worth it.
A-Rod to platoon with Luke Scott in 1B?! are you serious?!
Hehehe. Rodriqez alone will make half of what the entire payroll of the Rays..
Still.. Cashman is under pressure to give him away to someone (paid for of course) but doubt Tampa wants anything to do with him.
How is Cashman under pressure to give A-Rod away?
Poor choice of words here. Cashman is under fan and media pressure to move Rodriquez and in order to do that? he will have to pay nearly every bit of his salary. Myself? Am pretty sure he stays in NY. They are not going to find any takers, unles it is with 80%+ subsidused by NY and that is including the 25m bonus money he can reach.
I like Kepp, but right now you’re basically paying for him at his high point. There are tons of utility-type bats down in the minors (Tim Beckham being the bigger util name, also Leslie Anderson) that could turn into a Keppinger, or sign James Loney to a very small 1-year contract. Also, the A-Rod contract is for a long, long time and I doubt the Rays would want to handcuff them to that.
Good, exactly what they should have done!
Now trade Shields to LAD for AJ Ellis, Jerry Hairston Jr, Dee Gordon, Tolleson/Jansen and maybe Zack Lee
Also cash to cover Hairstons contract
So, basically Shields for trash then?
Rays aren’t gonna trade Shields.