Hot-Stove: Rays Avoid Arbitration with Joel Peralta

The Rays agreed to on a one-year deal with reliever Joel Peralta, avoiding arbitration. Peralta made $925,000 while having a strong first season with the Rays in 2011, posting a 2.93 ERA in 67 2/3 of work in 71 games, with an 8.1 strikeout per nine innings ratio, a 2.4 walks per nine innings ratio, …

Hot-Stove: One Outta Two Ain’t Bad & Shoppach (Updated)

According to a tweet from Tampa Bay Rays beat writer, Marc Topkin, the Rays have non-tendered Andy Sonnanstine’s contract. Conversely, Tampa Bay has tendered the contracts of their newest acquisition, RHP Burke Badenhop, as well as JP Howell (D’oh), Jeff Niemann, Joel Peralta, David Price, and BJ Upton. All of the above are arbitration eligible. …

Hot-Stove: Rays Lock Up Matt Moore

The Rays just locked up former uber-prospect and current rookie sensation, Matt Moore, to a five year, $14 million deal. Reminiscent of the 2008 deal with Evan Longoria, Moore’s deal is precedent setting because it is the first deal of its kind for a pitcher with less than a years service time, and tops any …

Rays Trade John Jaso to the Seattle Mariners; Updated

According to a Seattle Marniers team press release, the Rays have traded John Jaso to the Mariners for RHP Josh Lueke and a player to be named later, or cash considerations. Jaso, 28, hit .224/.298/.354 in his first full year as the Rays second catcher behind Kelly Shoppach who, as you may recall, is now …