While I wrote of James Loney’s return back in December, the two sides officially finalized Loney’s three-year, $21 million contract Saturday.
Loney is slated to make $1MM in 2014, $7MM in 2015, and $8MM in 2016, and has received a $5MM signing bonus. For the 29 year-old first baseman, this represents a significant rise in salary and offers him some job security — after all, he signed a one-year, $2MM prior to the 2013 season.
Loney bounced back from a disappointing 2012 campaign and quickly became fan favorite, slashing .299 BA/.348 OBP/.430 SLG/.778 OPS/118 wRC+ and producing 2.7 WAR in 158 games. Though Steamer projects Loney to regress in 2014, Oliver projects he’ll put up numbers similar to last season (.292 BA/.347 OBP/.420 SLG/.767 OPS/ 112 wRC+). The Brewers, Pirates, and Astros all made him similar offers to the Rays 29 year-old first baseman. He, however, chose Tampa Bay over the other interested teams, mentioning,
“I felt (Tampa Bay) was going to be the best option and this is where I wanted to be,” and “(The Rays) want to win and they want to be competitive, and I want to be a part of that puzzle.”
In other news, Tampa Bay claimed 26 year-old LHP, Pedro Figueroa, from the Oakland Athletics. He’ll more than likely receive an invitation to Spring Training. Jeff Todd of MLB Trade Rumors noted, “The Rays have claimed lefty Pedro Figueroa off of release waivers from the Athletics, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.” A hard throwing lefty, Figueroa was moved to the ‘pen in 2012. What does he offer the Rays?
Figueroa features a mid-to-high 90’s two-seam fastball, an above-average slider, and a respectable change up — three pitches which fit the mold of a Rays reliever. He had a strong 2012 season, holding a 2.62 ERA in the minors and a 3.32 ERA over 21.2 major league innings. The bottom fell out last season however. His ERA rose to 4.10 over 59.1 innings in the minors, and Figueroa allowed four runs over six hits in five outings in a brief stint with the Athletics last season.
His acquisition fills the 40-man roster, and a spot will need cleared. It has been speculated that a reliever will be designated to make room, potentially LHP Jeff Beliveau.
Noteworthiness
- “Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said he is looking to add another bench player and remains on the lookout for another arm for the bullpen,” writes Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Tribune. “Friedman also indicated that this year’s payroll could be a record high, beating 2010’s total of $72.8MM. If that’s the plan, it could be an indication that they plan to hang on to David Price.”