Friday, January 28, 2011

Kotchman, Delaney join Rays

First baseman Casey Kotchman has signed a minor league contract (with an invitation to major league spring training) with the Rays, who also claimed right-handed pitcher Rob Delaney off waivers from the Minnesota Twins today.

Kotchman, 27, hit .217 last year for Seattle and has a .259 career average. Delaney, 26, made one appearance for the Twins last season and had a 4.73 ERA in 80 innings at Triple-A.

Hot Rods also have new GM

The Biscuits aren't the only team in the Tampa Bay organization that will have a new general manager this year. The Bowling Green Hot Rods have hired Ryan Gates from the independent Lake County Crushers. Former GM Brad Taylor moved up to team president in December.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Rauch out as GM; former Terranova taking over

The Biscuits have a new general manager. Marla Terranova Vickers has been promoted to the GM role.

Greg Rauch, the team's GM since its inception, will remain as the team's president. He's also been heavily involved in the food operations service -- also owned Tom Dickson and Sherrie Myers -- that has clients nationwide.

Terranova Vickers, recently married, has also been with the Biscuits since they came to town.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Sonnanstine, Rays avoid arbitration

Pitcher Andy Sonnanstine and the Rays agreed on a one-year deal today and avoided going to arbitration. The contract is worth $912,000.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Rays, Upton avoid arbitration

Outfielder B.J. Upton will make $4.825 million this season after he and the Rays agreed on a one-year contract to avoid an arbitration hearing.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Farnsworth signs with Rays

Relief pitcher Kyle Farnsworth and the Rays have agreed to a one-year contract with a team option for 2012. The 34-year-old was 3-2 with a 3.34 ERA last year in 60 games between the Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Rays put spring tickets on sale Friday

The general public can buy Tampa Bay spring training tickets starting at 9 a.m. Central on Friday at raysbaseball.com. Subscribers to the team's Pravda-like Rays Insider have a purchasing window that runs from 9 a.m. Thursday through 8 a.m. Friday.

Archer to appear at Raleigh banquet

Pitcher Chris Archer, newly acquired by the Rays and a native North Carolinian, is getting out in the Triple-A Durham market. He'll be at be at the Raleigh Hot Stove League Banquet on Jan. 25 to accept USA Baseball’s International Performance Award.

Saturday, January 08, 2011

Rosscup the extra piece of Garza deal

Left-hander Zach Rosscup was the minor league pitcher who completed the trade that sent pitcher Matt Garza from the Rays to the Chicago Cubs. Rosscup was a 2009 draft pick who was in short-season ball last year.

Garza, former Biscuits outfielder Fernando Perez and Rosscup go to the Cubs. Right-handed pitcher Chris Archer, catcher Robinson Chirinos, outfielder Sam Fuld, outfielder Brandon Guyer and shortstop Hak-Ju Lee come to the Rays.

You may remember Chirinos ... as a shortstop. He hit three triples against the Biscuits in his final game as a shortstop in May 2008. He flew to Arizona the next day to learn catching.

Friday, January 07, 2011

Fernando Perez may be part of Garza trade to Cubs

The stripping down of the Tampa Bay Rays continued today. Pitcher Matt Garza is headed to the Chicago Cubs -- reportedly along with former Biscuits outfielder Fernando Perez and a minor league pitcher to be identified -- for a package of four players.

The deal includes pitcher Chris Archer, who was impressive last year with the Tennessee Smokies, along with nice-hitting catcher Robinson Chirinos. Also, middle infielder Hak-Ju Lee and outfielder Brandon Guyer will move to the Rays.

Thursday, January 06, 2011

Rays set winter program slate

The Rays have announced their roster for next week's second annual winter development program. It's three days of workouts, media training (where they'll of course learn to be relaxed and honest) and Tampa Bay community appearances.

Catchers -- Nevin Ashley, Luke Bailey, Jake DePew, Justin O’Conner
Infielders -- SS Tim Beckham, SS Derek Dietrich, 1B Jeff Malm
Outfielders -- Todd Glaesmann, Ty Morrison, Cody Rogers, Josh Sale, Drew Vettleson
Right-handed pitchers -- Nick Barnese, Matt Bush, Alex Cobb, Alex Colome, Joe Cruz, Dane De La Rosa, Brandon Gomes,
Wilking Rodriguez, Albert Suarez, Jake Thompson
Left-handed pitchers -- Kevin James, Matt Moore, Alex Torres

Saturday, January 01, 2011

Feliz Ano Nuevo, mi amigos

Greetings and salutations over the new year. Figured I'd share the third annual statistical haul from 2010 -- mainly for my own personal amusement.

799 Biscuits blog posts (744 in 2009, 561 in 2008)
513 stories/briefs, etc. (518 in 2009, 464 the year before)
339 Alabama blog posts (0 and 0 since this was my first season with that task)

Currently in Orlando for Alabama's bowl game with Michigan State. Just outside the stadium is the old Tinker Field. It may be in worse shape than Paterson.