Wheeler Signs 3-yr extension, Crawford's option picked up, Rocco's declined

The Rays have an off day on the field, but have been active today off of it. As expected the Rays declined Rocco Baldelli's $6.25 Million Dollar option and instead will pay the $4 Million buyout. The hope is the Rocco will keep the dream of playing alive and resign with the Rays at a reduced cost.

Carl Crawford's option of $8.25 Million Dollar was picked up in what was a no brain move for the Rays. The surprise of the day was the extension of Dan Wheeler. Wheeler, the son-in-law of Play by Play announcer DeWayne Staats, agreed to a 3yr $10.5 Million Dollar deal. The Heater gives us this breakdown of the deal.

"Wheeler will get $2.8-million this season, $3.2-million in 2009, $3.5-million in 2010 and either a $1-million buyout or a $4-million salary in 2011."

With the fragile arms of Al Reyes and Troy Percival at the back end of the bullpen this year the deal is worth it. Scott Linebrink received a four-year, $19 million contract and is basically the same pitcher. The back end of the deal meaning 2010 and the option on 2011 could be the real bargain. With Reyes on a one year contract and Percival not promised to make it through the 2008 season, let alone 2009, Wheeler could very well be the Rays closer for part or, almost all, of the contract. Given the current closer's market where Francisco Cordero received $12 Million a year for four years and Eric Gagne one year $10 Million, a closer making around $3.5-$4 Million a year is an absolute steal.

Quotes from tampabay.com

“I'm very happy,'' Crawford said. "I would like to thank the Rays organization and Stu Sternberg for believing in me. I'm grateful for the opportunity for this day. I'm looking forward to being here for a long time because I think we're at the start of something great going on here. I want to do well for them and represent the team in a classy manner.”

We've worked to try to address our bullpen situation and we feel like Dan will be an important part of our bullpen going forward and getting important outs late in games for us,'' executive VP Andrew Friedman said. "I think he's be the first to say last year was not a typical Dan Wheeler season and all parties agree this year and future years will be much better and he'll be an important part of our bullpen going forward.''

Rocco Baldelli out indefinitely

Rocco Baldelli announced today that he will start the season on the DL and is unsure if or when he'll ever return to the field. Baldelli said he was suffering from “some type of metabolic and/or mitochondrial abnormalities” that do not allow him to participate in activities on a regular basis. His body is preventing his muscles from reacting the way they should.

"I think the best way to describe it is literal muscle fatigue and cramping way before my body should be feeling these things,' '' Baldelli said. "I would go out there and I was pretty much incapable of doing basic baseball activities, running and hitting and throwing. These were things I had done my whole life pretty easily and at some point within the last two years, we're nto exactly sure why, these things started to change.''

Baldelli, 26, moved to verge of tears several times in discussing details of his condition for the first time. He said he did consider the condition life-threatening and would do "whatever" he could to get back on the field, but there was no timetable for a return. The Rays will place him on the disabled list to start the season

Rays GM Andy Friedman also said the Rays are unlikely to pick up his $6 Million dollar option, as I suspected. However, Friedman did say the Rays would like to keep Rocco with the Rays organization through out his career.

This finally gives the Rays some clarity to the whole situation. They can keep Rocco on the back burner, but it takes care the question of Will he be ready by this date? Right now, Rocco will continue to rehab and the team will move on as if he wasn't here. Ideally, you would like to see Baldelli make a full recovery, but at this point it doesn't look like that will be a reality. With this news the Rays can move forward with a new plan be it Kenny Lofton, someone internal, or maybe acquire another OF in a trade.

Rays beat Yanks 4-1; Price makes Impressive Debut

The may have changed the name of the field, but today a legend was born on it. The Rays beat the Yankees to improve to 7-1 this spring, but the real story was David Price. Price took the mound in a professional game for the first time. So what he plunked the first batter, he was just setting the tone. Price went on to strike out the side topping the Radar gun at 99 MPH. Scouts consistently clocked Price at 95-97. Grown men wept in the stands as they witness the greatness. Ok so maybe thats all little dramatic for a spring game, but you have to be impressed by David Price's debut in a Rays Uni even in an exhibition game. All in all Price threw 17 pitches, 11 for strikes and Duncan, Lane and Betemit may not be Jeter, Rodriguez and Posada, but you can't dismiss the arsenal Price showed.

Price was the most impressive, but wasn't the only Rays pitcher who pitched well today. Shaking off his so-so first start of the spring, Matt Garza allowed one hit in three innings striking out four. Brian Anderson and Scott Munter threw a scoreless inning a piece and Scott Dohmann was perfect in his two innings of work. Kurt Birkins also worked an inning, giving up the Yankees only run.

Jonny Gomes hit his second home run of the spring, hitting a solo shot off of Mike Mussina. Hector Gimenez also hit a home run(1). His shot came off of Yankee Prospect Russ Ohlendorf. Rays 3B stud Evan Longoria was 1-3 with a run scored, while his closest competition, Willy Aybar was 1-1 with a RBI double playing 1B.

Box Score

The record setting Rays lead by Edwin Jackson will host the Reds on Sunday without Rocco Baldelli, who has all but been ruled out for Sunday's game. The clock is ticking on Baldelli and even Skipper Joe Maddon admitted it by telling the St. Petersburg Times:

"It's not like we're not worried about it right now (but) over the course of the next week something's probably got to give in a positive direction to know that he's going to be able to to get out there with any kind of regularity,'' Maddon said. "You're looking to get nine innings, whether it's as a DH or an outfielder so I'd say the next week is going to be very vital or important to determine that.''

The outlook on Scott Kazmir is much better. Kaz will throw a bullpen session on Monday after completing the long toss portion of his rehab.

Kaz Moves on to Phase Three of Rehab; Rays World Tour?

The St. Petersburg Times is reporting that Rays Ace pitcher Scott Kazmir has moved onto phase three of his recovery. After phase two, which consisted of throwing 22 pitches with a ball in a sock, Kazmir played catch with Rays trainer Ron Porterfield from 60 feet. Kazmir completed 25 tosses with no apparent problems. The goal at this point is to throw from longer distances before attempting a bullpen session on March 10th or 11th. There is no time table or hint on if Kazmir will be available for opening day in Baltimore.

If you don't think baseball players are under intense pressure and are hard at work all the time, you're wrong. Rocco Baldell, Josh Paul, Edwin Jackson and Eric Hinske have spent a lot of extra time practicing together, however, not on baseball. The Rays quartet have started a band in the Rays stadium storage area. Baldell and Paul are guitarist, Jackson on the drums with Hinske filling in. The un-named band is looking for a lead singer. One thing I want to know is how Jonny Gomes is not involved in this?