Rays list winter development roster

Right-handed pitcher Alex Colome is the only Biscuit among the 28 players headed to Tampa Bay's winter development program. The three-day clinic starts Monday and includes workouts, media training and community appearances.

Right-handed pitchers (10) -- Jeff Ames, Alex Colome, Jake Floethe, Taylor Guerrieri, Jesse Hahn, Lenny Linsky, Parker Markel, Wilking Rodriguez, Albert Suarez, Jake Thompson
Left-handed pitchers (2) -- Enny Romero, Blake Snell
Catchers (2) -- Luke Bailey, Justin O'Conner
Second basemen (1) -- Ryan Brett
Shortstops (4) -- Derek Dietrich, Johnny Eierman, Jake Hager, Brandon Martin
Third basemen (1) -- Tyler Goeddel
Outfielders (8) -- Kes Carter, Granden Goetzman, James Harris, Mikie Mahtook, Ty Morrison, Cody Rogers, Josh Sale, Drew Vettleson

Colome is a repeat from last year, along with Bailey, O'Conner, Dietrich, Morrison, Rogers, Sale, Vettleson, Thompson and Wilking Rodriguez.

Heck, Colome and Bailey are going to be three-timers. They were part of the inaugural program in 2010.

Lichtenstein to be Biscuits' pitching coach

R.C. Lichtenstein will be the Biscuits' pitching coach this year, marking the only change on the team's coaching staff.

Lichtenstein spent the last three years at low-Class A Bowling Green and has been in the Tampa Bay system the last seven seasons. He was at high-A Vero Beach from 2007-08 and low-A Southwest Michigan in 2005-06.

Bill Moloney, who was Montgomery's pitching coach the last two years, moves to Bowling Green.

Billy Gardner will be back for his sixth season as manager and Ozzie Timmons his fourth as hitting coach. Kris Russell, who was at high-Class A Charlotte last year, will be the trainer.

Durham: manager Charlie Montoyo, pitching coach Neil Allen, hitting coach Dave Myers, trainer Mike Sandoval.
Charlotte: manager Jim Morrison, pitching coach Steve Watson, hitting coach Scott Thurston, trainer Scott Thurston.
Bowling Green: manager Brady Williams, pitching coach Bill Moloney, hitting coach Manny Castillo, trainer Jeremy Spencer.
Hudson Valley: manager Jared Sandberg, pitching coach Kyle Snyder, hitting coach Dan DeMent, trainer Brian Newman.
Princeton: manager Michael Johns, pitching coach Darwin Peguero, hitting coach Reinaldo Ruiz, trainer Nick Flynn.
GCL Rays: manager Paul Hoover, pitching coach Marty DeMerritt, hitting coaches Wuammer Rincones and Hector Torres, trainer Chris Tomashoff.

Fernando Rodney signs with Rays

Relief pitcher Fernando Rodney, who had a 4.50 ERA in 39 games for the Los Angeles Angels last year, has signed a one-year contract with the Rays. Rodney, 34, held hitters to a .224 average but was also limited by injuries. He spent much of June and July on the DL with an upper back strain and appeared in just two of the Angels' final 29 games. The right-hander has spent nine years in the majors.

Jai Miller traded to Baltimore

Selma native Jai Miller is headed to the Baltimore Orioles. The outfielder was traded Tuesday from the Oakland A's in exchange for cash considerations. Miller was designated for assignment by Oakland last month and will go on Baltimore's 40-man roster.

Almost forgot my annual New Year's tradition

Feliz Ano Neuvo, everyone, albeit a late one. I almost forgot my annual self-pat-on-the-back story and blog count.

Using our computerized library at the office, my name appeared in 637 documents from Jan. 1, 2011-Jan. 1, 2012. That would not include this blog, which featured 1,173 posts since last year's self-pat. There were also 101 Alabama blog posts for the three months of the year that I was doing that.

1,173 Biscuits blog posts (799 in 2010, 744 in 2009, 561 in 2008)
637 stories/briefs/times my name appeared in print and/or at montgomeryadvertiser.com (513 in 2010, 518 in 2009, 464 in 2008)
101 Alabama blog posts, January-March (339 from August-December 2010)