With less than two weeks until pitchers and catchers report to camp, the Tampa Bay Rays inked a minor league deal with right-hander Cory Rasmus — the younger brother of outfielder Colby Rasmus — reports Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times). They also brought back David Carptener, who spent Spring Training with Tampa Bay last season.
After a brief MLB debut (and stint) with the Atlanta Braves in 2013, Rasmus spent the majority of the past four seasons with the Angels organization, where he found success in both 2013 and 2014. However, he struggled the past two seasons, pitching to a combined 5.56 ERA in 45-1/3 innings. Between 2013 and 2016, Rasmus amassed a 4.17 ERA/4.49 FIP in 84 games (eight starts) across 123 innings.
Despite below-average velocity and some control issues, Rasmus is a fly ball pitcher who has racked up 121 strikeouts. He also boasts a pristine Triple-A track record, while posting a 10.5/4.5 K9/BB9 in parts of three seasons at that level.
As mentioned above, Carpenter spent time with the Rays in Spring Training last season. Yet in spite a strong spring campaign, he was released in late March. The righty spent the remainder of the season in the Angels organization, although he never reached the major leagues. Be that as it may, Carpenter has accumulated a 3.66 ERA/3.63 FIP over the course of 218 major league games (211 combined innings).
Noteworthiness
— The search for a right handed bat continues. Per Topkin, the Rays are said to be in discussions with Chris Carter. He also noted that as recently as Tuesday night, Carter’s agent Dave Stewart said they were “not close to anything” with Tampa Bay.
The ever intrepid Ken Rosenthal also checked on the status of talks with the Rays, and Stewart told him, “We’ve had enough conversations – I know what they’re thinking. We just haven’t advanced in that direction yet.”
It’s Rosenthal’s opinion that “The Rays appear to be Carter’s best major-league possibility, according to Stewart and major-league sources.” ESPN’s Jim Bowden added to the discussion, tweeting that Carter would rather play in MLB than in Japan.
Free Agent Chris Carter, the NL HR King from last year made it clear to us last night that he wants to stay here and play in MLB over Japan
— Jim Bowden (@JimBowden_ESPN) February 1, 2017
Another intriguing, albeit potentially unrealistic, option is Matt Wieters — the switch-hitting catcher/1B from Baltimore, who also could be used at DH.
No good read yet on likelihood of Wieters signing with #Rays, but hearing several teams still involved and timing is part of equation.
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) February 2, 2017
With several teams in on Wieters, it’s difficult to gauge the likelihood of he signing with the Rays at the moment.