The Tampa Bay Rays acquired UTL Rob Refsnyder from Cleveland for cash considerations on Tuesday. (Photo Credit: Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

The Tampa Bay Rays came one step closer to solidifying their Opening Day roster on Tuesday, acquiring utility-player Rob Refsnyder from Cleveland for cash considerations.

Out of options and holding a needed spot on Cleveland’s 40-man roster, Refsnyder has played parts of three seasons in the big leagues with the Yankees and Blue Jays in right and left field, as well as first and second base.

The 27 year-old Refsnyder once was a well-regarded prospect in New York’s farm system, although he hasn’t produced at the Major League level, performing to just a .233 BA/.306 OBP/.311 SLG/.617 OPS line over 320 career plate appearances. More recently, he had a rough spring, slashing .191 BA/.298 OBP/.362 SLG/.660 OPS in 58 plate appearances.

Refsnyder, however, offers the Rays a versatile glove and gives them another multi-position bench option next to Daniel Robertson. Tampa Bay had been looking for a right-handed outfield bat, so Refsnyder fills that need (by definition, of course) even if his offensive peripherals have lagged.

After the Grapefruit League finale, the Rays reassigned to minor-league camp the other two outfield candidates, Brandon Snyder and Johnny Field, alongside Curt Casali.

Tampa Bay’s roster now sits at 27 pending a trade or release of RHP Daniel Hudson and putting RHP Jose De Leon on the 60-day DL. The Rays have until 11:30 Thursday morning to submit a complete 25-man roster.

What’s new at the Trop this season?

Fans attending Thursday’s home opener against those Massholes will find plenty of new stuff at the Trop. As St. Petersburg’s mayor Rick Kriseman put it, the food offerings at the Trop this year are very St. Pete…(a) nice showcase of just some of what we offer in the Sunshine City!

What follows are Marc Topkin and Christopher Spata’s (Tampa Bay Times) tweeted dispatches of the new what next from the official unveiling on Tuesday.

Leave a comment