2012 MLB Season Preview: Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay Rays Offseason Additions 

1B Carlos Pena– A sweet reunification, and the Rays have their powerful, middle-of-the-order guy back. You can view my original analysis on the deal here.

OF Luke Scott– The streak former Orioles hitter joined the Rays on a one-year deal.

RP Fernando Rodney– The former closer is looking to get back on the map, and he has landed in the right spot.

C Jose Molina– The pitch-plating wizard joined the Tampa Bay Rays to replace John Jaso from the Josh Lueke trade.

RP Josh Lueke– A worthy-risk, the hit-or-miss reliever was acquired in a trade with the Seattle Mariners.

2B Jeff Keppinger– Another solid middle-infielder who will have an impact for the Rays next year.

1B Juan Miranda– The former Yankees player looks like a mere afterthought at this point, but you never know with those Rays.

RP Burke Badenhop– He’s better than C Jake Jeffries

Tampa Bay Rays Offseason Subtractions

C John Jaso– The OBP whiz and famed beneficiary of Joe Maddon’s tactics was shipped for Lueke (analysis on Lueke’s description).

1B Russ Canzler– The powerful, interesting youngster became expendable after the Pena deal and was shipped to Cleveland for cash.

OF Johnny Damon– That’s one veteran OF that this team can definitely do without. After all, Scott is definitely better than Damon and can actually hit for power; something the Rays coveted. I mean, it is left field.

1B Casey Kotchman– The Rays sapped out all that lady luck would give to them and replaced Kotch with Pena.

C Kelly Shoppach– He was a solid depth catcher with plus power.

Juan Cruz– The Rays will sort of miss him, but Lueke and Rodney are definitely better.

Andy Sonnanstine– A classy guy, but was expendable and didn’t have much value to the team anymore. Signed with the Cubs.