Matt Joyce still finds his name on the trade bubble. (Photo courtesy of J. Meric/Getty Images)
Matt Joyce still finds his name on the trade bubble. (Photo courtesy of J. Meric/Getty Images)

11:45 update: The Pirates announced that they have acquired infielder Sean Rodriguez from the Rays in exchange for a player to be named later and cash considerations. Rodriguez, who was designated for assignment last week to open a roster spot for Ernesto Frieri, was a likely nontender on Tuesday.

In the past 10 days, Matt Silverman and his staff have made some interesting moves — trading three pitchers who have played key roles (Jeremy Hellickson, Joel Peralta and Cesar Ramos) and dumping six others off the 40-man roster, including Jose Molina and Sean Rodriguez.

Many assumed those moves were made to free-up payroll space, and clearly there were some cost savings: Tampa Bay trimmed about $10 million in committed/projected payroll in Hellickson ($4M), Peralta ($2.5M), Rodriguez ($2M) and Ramos ($1.3M), yet filling those four spots will cost a minimum of $2.3 million. And releasing Molina meant eating his $2.75 million salary, plus paying his replacement in excess of the $500,000 minimum. In the end the net savings wasn’t significant, around $4 million. However, “The prime driving force,” writes Marc Topkin, “was creating flexibility on the roster to add a half-dozen younger players the Rays didn’t want to risk losing.” Moreover, the desire to protect younger prospects required Friedman and company to make some difficult decisions with the roster, helping to accelerate the pace of transactions.

Adding to Matt Silverman’s already full plate, an imminent decision to trade either Joyce or David DeJesus — two left handed hitters both making around $5 million — and the upcoming (and final) round of managerial interviews with Kevin Cash, Don Wakamatsu, and Raul Ibanez.

While they’re prepared to listen to more trade offers (Yunel Escobar, Jennings, or James Loney) there isn’t an indication they’ll do so in earnest.

“We listen on everyone, but in many cases it’s for the comedic value more than anything else,” says team president Matt Silverman.

The next big roster deadline for the Tampa Bay Rays is Tuesday, when they have to decide whether to trade or release Sean Rodriguez and tender the contracts of their six remaining arbitration eligibles: pitchers Alex Cobb, Jake McGee, and Drew Smyly; infielder Logan Forsythe; and outfielders Desmond Jennings and Matt Joyce.

A few relevant quotes and links are below.

Noteworthiness

  • One byproduct of the DFA of Sean Rodriguez is likelihood of a first baseman’s mitt being placed in Logan Forsythe’s Spring Training locker. Another is increased opportunity for Tim Beckham.
  • The Rays feel Ernesto Freieri’s propensity to give up home runs is correctable.
  • Tampa Bay has outrighted RHP Michael Kohn to the AAA Durham Bulls, and is waiting to hear whether he will accept assignment or become free agent. Kohn was acquired from the Angels in the Cesar Ramos trade, then designated for assignment (along with Cole Figueroa and Jośe Molina) at the 40-man roster deadline.
  • The Rays’ trio of managerial finalists – Kevin Cash, Raul Ibanez, and Don Wakamatsu – is about as intriguing and outside-the-box as you can get, writes David Laurila of Fangraphs.  The Rays are in a transition period and Laurila writes that it’ll be fascinating to see how they proceed from here.
  • Head over to the Tampa Bay Times and place your vote for who you think will be the Rays next manager. Note: former bench coach Dave Martinez is still listed, because that totally makes sense.

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