New Tampa Bay Rays quality assurance coach Greene ready to do "whatever it takes" to help team win

ST. PETERSBURG — Todd Greene is open-minded about the specific duties of his new job as the Rays' quality assurance coach. But he knows what he hopes to accomplish.

"I'm going to do whatever it takes to get our players ready to go out and win a game," Greene said. "It's kind of like what I did as a bench player."

Greene, 37, spent 11 seasons in the majors, mostly as a catcher, coming up with the Angels when Rays manager Joe Maddon was a coach, then playing for the Blue Jays, Yankees, Rangers, Rockies and Giants. He spent 2007 with the Padres' Triple-A team and last season as a scout.

The job, created last season and filled by Tim Bogar, includes a combination of scouting, coaching and organizing duties. "I anticipate learning a whole lot more about the game and the way everything goes from the scouting department down to the coaches and is fed to the players," Greene said.

Greene said the chance to work again with Maddon was a major lure.

Also:

• The final contract for outfielder Gabe Kapler was for $1,000,018, the extra 18 representing Kapler's lucky number, as well as a symbol of life, or chai, in the Jewish community.

• Right-hander Jae Kuk Ryu, who missed most of last season with an elbow injury, was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Kapler.

• The Rays today will unveil a dark blue alternate jersey.