Looking Backward While Moving Forward: On Jason Bourgeois

As much as I’d like to harp on Hellickson or the Rays inconsistent offense that couldn’t get much started Wednesday night, I’m going to focus on something else, Jason Bourgeois — more specifically, why he’s still on the 25-man roster. He, after all, misplayed another ball in the outfield for the second time in three games. Though tonight’s fielding geek wouldn’t prove costly, and though he was fairly productive at the plate, I’d argue that he’s here (instead of Brandon Gomes who was sent down on the 20th) for a few reasons — the biggest being that he’s out of options and the Rays don’t want to lose organizational depth by running Bourgeois through waivers. One should consider the depth in Triple-A Durham. With Brandon Guyer on the DL, the Rays are left with career minor leaguer Rich Thompson, and Gary Busey lookalike Shelley Duncan.

Hot-Stove: Rays Sign Four Players to Minor League Contracts, Extend Invites to Spring Training

  MLB Trade Rumors is reporting that the Rays have signed four players to minor league deals; outfielder Shelley Duncan and right-handed pitchers Jamey Wright, Juan Sandoval, and Juan Carlos Oviedo. All four have been extended invites to Spring Training.   Shelley Duncan posted a .229 BA/.306 OBP/.427 SLG/.732 OPS slash line over the course of six seasons …