As we noted earlier (via our Tumblr page), Sam Fuld will become a free agent, and will consider all options, after the Rays chose against tendering his contract ahead of the midnight non-tender deadline. Projected to perform closer to his career norms in 2014, Fuld posted a .199 BA/.270 OBP/.267 SLG/.537 OPS/.246 wOBA slash line in 2013, with two homers and 17 RBI in 200 plate appearances (119 games, 48 starts).
Per Marc Topkin, Fuld was “disappointed,” by the move, though he knew a non-tender was a possibility. Fuld told Topkin that he hasn’t “ruled out” re-signing with the Rays, but it’s “a 1-in-30” chance. That is, he’s free agent open to all options.
Topkin asserted a potential element that affected the Fuld non-tender was Brandon Guyer, who is out of options.
Fuld tweeted the following to Rays fans:
To all the Rays fans out there: thank you for helping make the last three years such an enjoyable experience!
— Sam Fuld (@SamFuld5) December 3, 2013
On the decision not to tender Fuld’s contract, Andrew Friedman told Topkin, “We didn’t make this move thinking that there would necessarily be finality to it.” The Rays have also decided not to tender the contract of LHP reliever Wesley Wright. Wright, acquired from the Astros, had 2.92 ERA in 16 games for the Rays. Friedman said they’ll stay in touch with both Fuld and Wright, and it’s possible both could return.
Moving forward, the other seven arbitration eligible players (Jeremy Hellickson, Matt Joyce, Jose Lobaton, Jake McGee, David Price, Cesar Ramos, and Sean Rodriguez) have had their contracts tendered.
Noteworthiness
- The Rays officially announced the two-year, $4.5MM contract for 38 year-old catcher Jose Molina.
- Marc Topkin broke down the free agent market following last night’s non-tender deadline, writing, ” the non-tender deadline can also be a good thing for the Rays as there are now 41 additional free agents, and relatively low-priced ones at that, that they can look over and potentially pursue.” On that list are a couple of players with Tampa Bay ties; OF Chris Coghlan (East Lake HS) and RHP Ryan Webb (CCC). Both players could fit in well with the Rays. Coghlan is a former NL rookie of the year known for his versatility, while Webb has posted a pretty solid groundball rate (56.3% in 2013). You can view a list of the newly minted, non-tendered, free agents below.
- PITCHERS (20) Scott Atchison, RHP, Dylan Axelrod, RHP, John Axford, RHP, Andrew Bailey, RHP, Daniel Bard, RHP, Ronald Belisario, RHP, Mitchell Boggs, RHP, Tyler Cloyd, RHP, Eddie Gamboa, RHP, Juan, Gutierrez, RHP, Tommy Hanson, RHP, Jeremy Hefner, RHP, Daniel Hudson, RHP, Chang-Young Lim, RHP, Cristhian Martinez, RHP, Kyle McPherson, RHP, Sandy Rosario, RHP, Ryan Webb, RHP, Jerome Williams, RHP, Wesley Wright, LHP, INFIELDERS (10) David Adams, Mat Gamel, 1B, Chris Getz, Paul Janish, Elliot Johnson, Garret Jones, 1B, Chris Nelson, Jayson Nix, Omar Quintanilla, Justin Turner OUTFIELDERS (9) Matt Carson, Chris Coghlan, Sam Fuld, Ryan Kalish, Xavier Paul, Francisco Peguero,Jason Pridie, Derrick Robinson, Jordany Valdespin CATCHERS (4) J.P. Arencibia, Matt Daley, Lou Marson, Michael McKenry