With the opening of spring training just more than a week away, here's a look back at what the Rays did during the offseason and a look ahead at what they have to do during spring training:
In with the new (and one familiar)
1B Carlos Peña: Free agent from Cubs; 1-year, $7.25 million
DH Luke Scott: Free agent from Orioles; 1-year, $5M plus option
RHP Fernando Rodney: Free agent from Angels; 1-year, $1.75M plus option
INF Jeff Keppinger: Free agent from Giants; 1-year, $1.525M
C Jose Molina: Free agent from Blue Jays: 1-year, $1.5M plus option
RHP Burke Badenhop: Trade from Marlins (minor-league C Jake Jefferies)
RHP Josh Lueke: Trade from Mariners (C John Jaso)
On minor-league deals: OF Jesus Feliciano, INF Matt Mangini, 1B Juan Miranda, LHP Jhonny Nunez, INF Will Rhymes, RHP Romulo Sanchez
Out with the old
INF Russ Canzler: Traded to Indians for cash
RHP Juan Cruz: Signed minor-league deal with Pirates
DH Johnny Damon: Unsigned free agent, Yankees a possibility
C John Jaso: Traded to Mariners for RHP Josh Lueke
1B Dan Johnson: Signed minor-league deal with White Sox
1B Casey Kotchman: Signed with Indians; 1-year, $3M
Bullpen coach Bobby Ramos: Not rehired, joined Marlins
OF Justin Ruggiano: Signed minor-league deal with Astros
C Kelly Shoppach: Signed with Red Sox, 1-year, $1.35M
RHP Andy Sonnanstine: Signed minor-league deal with Cubs
Main spring story lines
For starters
Unless — or until — they make a trade (or have an injury), the Rays have more starting pitchers than they have room. With James Shields, David Price, Jeremy Hellickson and Matt Moore presumably set, it would seem Wade Davis or Jeff Niemann, right, has to go, or at least go to the bullpen. Plus, they have Alex Cobb and Alex Torres in reserve.
Catching on
The Rays say they are set behind the plate, but that could change as they get closer to opening day. Free agent addition Jose Molina, above, is 36 and has never started more than 81 games (and that was in 2008), and the candidates for him to share time with, Jose Lobaton and Robinson Chirinos, are inexperienced (42 big-league games combined) and coming off winter-ball injuries.
Order up
With their offense boosted by signing 1B Carlos Peña, DH Luke Scott, left, and INF Jeff Keppinger, they'll go through the spring determining how best to set them up. (See column, above.)
Coming up short
The plan is for Reid Brignac, above, and Sean Rodriguez to play out what should be a good battle for the starting job, but it's possible, if not likely, that they'll end up platooning. And free agent addition Jeff Keppinger could end up in the mix.
Bullpen roundup
There's depth but also some sorting out to do, with Fernando Rodney, who has previous closing experience, and Burke Badenhop, a ground-ball specialist, joining Kyle Farnsworth and Joel Peralta, who did well last season. Also some questions on J.P. Howell, Jake McGee, Brandon Gomes.
Follow our coverage all spring on the Heater blog (tampabay.com/blogs/rays) and on Twitter @TBTimes_Rays.
Key dates
Saturday: FanFest, Tropicana Field, 10-5, free admission
Feb. 20: Pitchers and catchers report to Port Charlotte
Feb. 21: First workout
Feb. 25: Position players report
Feb. 26: First full squad workout
March 3: Exhibition opener vs. Twins, in Fort Myers
April 6: Season opener vs. Yankees, at Tropicana Field
Exhibition schedule
Where: Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte
Tickets: $9/12-27, available at raysbaseball.com, box office, through Ticketmaster
Info: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297 (FAN-RAYS)
Games 1:05 unless noted
March
3: at Twins
4: Twins
5: Orioles
6: Twins
7: at Yankees
8: Tigers (ss)
at Twins (ss)
9: Orioles
10: at Red Sox
11: Pirates
12: Twins
13: at Orioles
14: Marlins
15: Phillies
16: at Jays
17: at Pirates
18: Red Sox
19: Off
20: at Marlins
21: Yankees
22: at Pirates
23: Jays (7:05)
24: at Twins (3:05)
25: Marlins
26: at Twins
27: at Red Sox (1:35)
28: Pirates (7:05)
29: at Phillies
30: at Pirates
31: Red Sox
APRIL
1: at Orioles
2: Twins
3: at Twins
4: vs. Future Rays, 1:40, at Tropicana Field.
Area teams workout dates
• Blue Jays, Dunedin, Feb. 22
• Orioles, Sarasota, Feb. 19
• Phillies, Clearwater, Feb. 19
• Pirates, Bradenton, Feb. 19
• Tigers, Lakeland, Feb. 20
• Yankees, Tampa, Feb. 20
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