Hot-Stove: Rays Acquire Five In Seven-Player Trade

The Rays finalized a seven-player trade with the Padres Wednesday, sending LHP Alex Torres to San Diego, along with right-handed pitching prospect Jesse Hahn. In return, Tampa Bay will receive five players: utility infielder Logan Forsythe, RHP Brad Boxberger, infielder Maxx Tissenbaum, and right-handers Matt Andriese and Matt Lollis.

Hot-Stove: On the Winter Development Camp, Recent Acquisitions, Arbitration, and Improved Offensive Output

Wednesday marked the start of the annual Rays Winter Development Camp at the Trop. Amid the football configuration and a banquet setup, prospects like Cole Figueroa and Nick Ciuffo took the field with the likes of Matt Joyce, collectively working out a month (give or take) ahead of Spring Training. We got a sneak-peek of the renovations at the Trop, thanks to Marc Topkin who tweeted a photo Wednesday afternoon.

Hot-Stove: Rays Officially Sign Jayson Nix, Josh Sale Reinstated, Etc

I made mention the Rays were close to inking a deal with Jayson Nix. Tampa Bay made it official Friday, signing Nix to a minor league contract for the 2014 season, including an invite to Spring Training, with the Rays. Throughout his career, Nix has played second and third base, shortstop, and even the corner outfield positions. Suffice it to say, his versatility will be beneficial to the Rays if he makes the team. Nix slashed .236 BA/.308 OBP/.311 SLG/.619 OPS/.279 wOBA/70 wRC+ in 87 games last season, with three home runs, 32 runs and 42 RBI in 303 plate appearances — slightly above his career norms. What he lacks at the plate, he makes up for in the middle infield. Known for his range and glove work, Nix could fill Kelly Johnson’s vacated role as utility infielder, alongside Sean Rodriguez — among other things.

Hot-Stove: Rays Set to Sign Jayson Nix to Minor League Contract

As I wrote on the X-Rays Spex Tumblr page, Per MLB Trade Rumors, the Rays are set to sign former Yankee middle-infielder, Jayson Nix, to a minor league contract. Nix slashed .236 BA/.308 OBP/.311 SLG/.619 OPS/.279 wOBA/70 wRC+ in 87 games last season, with three home runs, 32 runs and 42 RBI in 303 plate …

Hot-Stove: Rays DFA Jerry Sands, Sign Four Players to Minor League Contracts

I wrote the other day of the acquisition of LHPR Pedro Figueroa from the Oakland Athletics. In that piece, I speculated over who the Rays might designate in order to make room for Figueroa on the 40-man roster. It turns out the recently acquired 1B/OF Jerry Sands became the DFA candidate of choice. Sands could still be an asset to the Rays if no one claims him by January 17th.