Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Hernandez So-So, Farnsworth Not Good, and the Rays Lose 6-2

I’d hardly call Tuesday night’s 6-2 loss to the Red Sox a crushing blow, however there is a certain amount of suckiness attached when you consider that the Rays could have pulled into first place for only the second time this season. Let’s not get down on ourselves though, the Rays have had a great run, and one loss — only their third in 21 games mind you — shouldn’t be viewed as a foreboding indicator of doom and gloom. Losses are going to happen, and the true test will come tonight when David Price takes the hill, opposite of Felix Doubront. While I’d be hesitant to call this a crushing blow, I’d be foolish to overlook the glaring antecedents that factored into the Rays loss: A mediocre start by Roberto Hernandez, a horrible two-thirds of an inning by Kyle Farnsworth, cracks in the defense, and an anemic offense.

Hot-Stove: Of Kyle Farnsworth, Luke Scott, and James Shields (Updated)

Update: The Rays have made the re-signing of Kyle Farnsworth official. According to MLB Trade Rumors, Farnsworth’s contract guarantees him $1.3MM and contains another $1.3MM worth of incentives, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports Thursday was a fairly action packed day. First we got word that MLB hates the Tampa Bay area, possibly St. …

Of Contract Options, and Free Agents (Oh my, its been updated)

Post 10/29 updates: The Rays have chosen to exercise the options on Fernando Rodney ($2.5 MM), Jose Molina ($1.8 MM), and James Shields ($10.25 MM) contracts. However, they’ve chosen to decline Luke Scott’s $6 MM option, opting to pay him a $1 MM buyout instead. All of the moves were expected, at least tacitly. On …