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.
Tag Archives: MLB
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 …
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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.
Hot-Stove: James Loney Officially Re-Signs, Rays Pick-up Pedro Figueroa, Etc
Loney is slated to make $1MM in 2014, $7MM in 2015, and $8MM in 2016, and has received a $5MM signing bonus. For the 29 year-old first baseman, this represents a significant rise in salary and offers him some job security — after all, he signed a one-year, $2MM prior to the 2013 season.
Hot-Stove: Rays Release Leslie Anderson, On Jerry Sands, Etc.
The Jerry Sands acquisition makes a little more sense now. The question begs: Who is Jerry Sands? Furthermore, what can he offer the Rays?