The Tampa Bay Rays have signed right-handed relief pitcher Joe Nelson to a one-year contract.
Nelson, 34, went 3-1 with one save and a 2.00 ERA in a career-high 59 relief outings for the Marlins in 2008. His ERA ranked third among National League relievers (10th in majors) behind the Dodgers? Hong-Chih Kuo (1.69) and the Phillies? Brad Lidge (1.95).
"We feel like Joe can really help our bullpen,? said Rays Executive Vice President, Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman. ?He had a tremendous season in 2008 and has been very effective against both left-handed and right-handed hitters. Our bullpen was a large part of our success in 2008 and our quest is to have one of the top bullpens in the American League on an annual basis. Adding Joe certainly helps on that front."
Via Press Release
Tampa Bay Rays, Florida Marlins
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The Athletics and Rays are reportedly interested in the services of outfielder Garret Anderson.
The Angels have made no move to retain Anderson after re-signing fellow outfielder Juan Rivera.
Anderson told MLB.com that he would be open to playing right field, where Vladimir Guerrero has been entrenched in Los Angeles.
"I'm very comfortable in right, as well as left," said Anderson. "I'm just waiting to see what's out there."
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Oakland Athletics, Tampa Bay Rays
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Commissioner Bud Selig believes that Major League Baseball has enjoyed competitive balance in recent years.
He cited the Tampa Bay Rays' amazing 2008 run to the World Series.
"It's a remarkable story and a wonderful story, almost a breathtaking story," Selig said.
"When you think back to where we were in the '90s, how small-market clubs never won and the few playoff games they won were like 4 percent or 5 percent, there was all this despair about disparity. On Jan. 19 of 2000, the owners gave me unprecedented power to solve the competitive balance problem. The vote was 30-0. There was genuine, deep and abiding concern. There's no question that it existed. Competitive balance was a real problem. The sport felt it in every way. So Tampa Bay winning was a manifestation of all the changes."
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Rays Dec 2008 Archive
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Miami Herald | Dec 24, 2008
On Wednesday, Joe Nelson, whom the Marlins non-tendered, agreed to terms on a one-year deal for $1.3 million with the Tampa Bay Rays.
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Los Angeles Times | Dec 24, 2008
The Yankees signed Mark Teixeira on Tuesday, but the reining AL East champions are not flinching.
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Andrew Perna/RealGM | Dec 23, 2008
The Rays reached the World Series this past October with a payroll of $43.8 million, while Yankees will pay CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira alone $45.5 million this coming season.
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SI.com | Dec 21, 2008
The Rays are talking to free agent Pat Burrell about coming to Tampa to fill their DH spot.
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Tampa Tribune | Dec 17, 2008
The Rays are still optimistic that they'll be able to land a marquee hitter this offseason and have interest in a number of big names.
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St. Petersburg Times | Dec 15, 2008
Outfielder Jonny Gomes wasn't happy when he heard that the Rays were letting him go, but he was more than grateful for his time in Tampa Bay.
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Press Release | Dec 12, 2008
The Tampa Bay Rays have declined to tender a 2009 contract to outfielder/designated hitter Jonny Gomes.
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St. Petersburg Times | Dec 12, 2008
The Rays haven't made an offer to free-agents Milton Bradley or Jason Giambi, but they could in the future as they wait for the market to develop.
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MLB.com | Dec 11, 2008
The Tigers acquired right-hander Edwin Jackson from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for outfielder Matt Joyce.
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FoxSports | Dec 10, 2008
The Detroit Tigers are set to acquire right-hander Edwin Jackson from the Tampa Bay Rays for outfielder Matt Joyce.
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Andrew Perna/RealGM | Dec 10, 2008
If rumors are true that CC Sabathia has agreed to a seven-year deal with the Yankees worth $160 million, he will average a salary of more than $22.8 million annually.
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FoxSports | Dec 9, 2008
Tampa Bay met with Jason Giambi on Monday, the same day the team had lunch with Milton Bradley.
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Boston Globe | Dec 9, 2008
Milton Bradley is in intense discussions with the Cubs, according to a report from the Boston Globe.
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FoxSports | Dec 8, 2008
Milton Bradley arrived at the winter meetings on Monday and promptly went to lunch with his agents and officials from the American League champion Tampa Bay Rays.
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St. Petersburg Times | Dec 8, 2008
There have been reports that free-agent first baseman Jason Giambi would like a three-year deal.
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FoxSports | Dec 3, 2008
The Yankees have joined the Rays, Red Sox, and Phillies in the pursuit of Rocco Baldelli, who came back from a rare neuromuscular disease with the Rays last season.
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Press Release | Dec 2, 2008
A full postseason share for the 2008 World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies totaled $351,504.48, while a full share for the American League Champion Tampa Bay Rays totaled $223,390.05.
