Update: The Rays have made the re-signing of Kyle Farnsworth official. According to MLB Trade Rumors,
Farnsworth’s contract guarantees him $1.3MM and contains another $1.3MM worth of incentives, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports
Thursday was a fairly action packed day. First we got word that MLB hates the Tampa Bay area, possibly St. Petersburg specifically. And then we heard that the Rays re-signed Kyle Farnsworth, while a deal with Luke Scott is imminent. It ended with an emotional video from former Rays starter, James Shields. Here’s what we know.
Kyle Farnsworth agreed to a one-year $1.5MM deal, with the chance to earn up to another $1.5 million in incentives. Farnsworth spent the last two seasons in the Rays pen, posting a 5-1 record with a 2.18 ERA and 25 saves in 2011. He followed that up with a 1-6 record, and a 4.00 ERA in 34 appearances in 2012. Farnsworth missed half of 2012 with an elbow strain.
The specifics on Luke Scott’s deal have not been released, though it could be assumed that he’ll make less than $5 million because the Rays previously declined Scott’s $6 million option, paying him a $1 million buyout. Scott posted a .229 BA, with 14 homers, 55 RBIs and a .724 OPS last season. He was limited to 96 games due to oblique and back injuries. It bears mentioning that he holds the franchise record for an 0-for-41 streak. Yeesh. We mentioned earlier in the week that the Rays could, conceivably, platoon the DH role. Apparently they didn’t see things in that way. If this move does anything, it’s assure that Ben Zobrist will spend the majority of his playing time in right-field with Matt Joyce moving to left, platooning with Brandon Guyer and Sam Fuld.
Finally, James Shields wanted to say goodbye to Tampa Bay fans and teammates. As a means to do so, he recorded a video with Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. God dammit, I’ve gotta admit that I got kind of teary eyed watching this. Dare I say that Shieldsy started to get broken up, especially toward the end? I really loved watching him pitch, and I think his impact will be felt in 2013. Let’s hope the Wil Myers deal pans out for the best.