1B Carlos Pena and DH Johnny Damon remain possibilities to fill the' Rays openings for two hitters, agent Scott Boras said Tuesday, but both have interest from other teams.
       “I think the Rays need offense,’’ Boras said. “And both players enjoyed playing there.’’
    Boras said he’s talking to “a number of clubs” about Pena and is “going through the customary negotiations.’’ Pena was with the Rays 2007-10, then went to the Cubs last season, where he made $10-million, hitting .225 with 28 homers. Boras has said since December he expects Pena to have the option of multiyear offers.
   Damon hit .261 with 16 homers for the Rays last season, while making $5.25-million and has made it clear he would like return. “There was not a better DH in the AL, apart from Michael Young and David Ortiz, and he had a great season down there,’’ Boras said. Damon is in talks with at least one other team.
     Among other players the Rays have talked about are former Orioles DH/OF Luke Scott and Rockies OF Seth Smith.
     Executive VP Andrew Friedman said Saturday the Rays continued to look at trade and free agent options. Boras said that the high number of trades this off-season has led to a slowdown in the free agent market.
   "There's a lot of teams waiting to act, it's been a very unusual year with so many clubs trading,'' Boras said. "It really creates an unanticipated dynamic in how teams work.''