Adding a credible voice to what we at Raysbaseball.co believe about the prospects of both 2011 DH Johnny Damon, and first baseman Casey Kotchman returning for the 2012 season, Rays beat writer, Marc Topkin, had this to say in a Heater (the Times Rays blog) piece today,
Friedman maintained his off-season long position that both DH Johnny Damon and 1B Casey Kotchman are candidates to return. But realistically if the Rays are going to improve they’d have to upgrade at at least one of those positions, so at most only one would return.
As noted yesterday, former Padres first baseman, Anthony Rizzo, was picked up by the Cubs yesterday, leaving free agents Carlos Pena and Casey Kotchman, and the Angels Mark Trumbo, as the three most looked at candidates who could fill Tampa Bay’s hole at first base.
This humble blogger thinks that if it comes down to a case of one-or-the-other, Tampa Bay is more apt to re-sign Damon than Kotchman.
Unless the Rays are willing to trade for a DH, which I don’t think they are, there really aren’t many designated hitters left on the free agent market.
So, what are your thoughts on this minor conundrum?