Hot-Stove: Rays sign Steve Pearce to one-year, $4.75-mm deal

The Tampa Bay Rays are close to inking a one-year deal with right-handed slugger Steve Pearce pending a physical, according to Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times). Pearce is expected to receive time in left field, at first base and at DH.

Hot-Stove: Rays avoiding arbitration; Logan Forsythe to receive contract extension

The Tampa Bay Rays had 10 players file for arbitration this offseason: Alex Cobb, Hank Conger, Logan Forsythe, Brandon Guyer, Desmond Jennings, Jake McGee, Logan Morrison, Erasmo Ramirez, Rene Rivera, and Drew Smyly. One of those players is reportedly close to signing a two year contract extension with the Rays, while the others may or may not avoid arbitration.

Hot-Stove: Rays at the Onset of the Winter Meetings

The Winter Meetings are set to start on Monday, in Nashville. Tampa Bay Rays will enter the meetings without any glaring needs. However, the team is fully prepared to entertain any potential offers, likely for a power bat, if the right opportunity arises.

Hot-Stove: Rays Trade Kirby Yates; JP Arencibia, Daniel Nava, and Brandon Gomes Now Free-Agents

RHP Kirby Yates has been traded to the Cleveland Indians for cash considerations. Additionally, the Rays also released C J.P. Arencibia and outrighted RHP Brandon Gomes and OF Daniel Nava. Both Gomes and Nava had the option to refuse the assignment and did, becoming free agents.

Hot-Stove: Rays Make Roster Moves Ahead of Rule-5 Draft; Acquire Chase Whitley Off Waivers (Updated)

On Friday night, the Tampa Bay Rays added five players to the 40-man roster ahead of the Rule-5 Draft: RHP’s Jacob Faria, Taylor Guerrieri and German Marquez; LHP Blake Snell, and utility-man Taylor Motter. To make room on the 40-man roster, the team designated catcher J.P. Arencibia, outfielder Daniel Nava, and RHPs Brandon Gomes and Kirby Yates for assignment.