Floyd signed, sealed and delivered

As expected, the Rays have signed free-agent outfielder Cliff Floyd to a one-year deal with a club option for 2009.

Floyd will make $2.75 million this season, with $2 million in incentives. If the team picks up his option in 2009, Floyd will make his 2008 salary (between $2.75  million and $4.75 million, based on the 2008 incentives, which are likely appearance based), with the opportunity to make another $2 million in incentives, so he could make up to $6.75 milion in '09. The Rays have a $250,000 buyout for 2009.

Floyd gives the Rays a left-handed bat who can help fill the team's vacant rightfield hole and also slide into the DH role along with Jonny Gomes and Rocco Baldelli. A 15-year major league veteran, he has spent most of his career in the National League. He hit .316 in 47 games for the Red Sox in 2003 after Boston acquired him at the trade deadline.

Floyd, however, owns a .382 career batting average (29-for-76) at Tropicana Field, tied for the second best average all-time among players with at least 75 at bats. Most of those at bats came as a member of the Marlins.

Floyd will also add a veteran leadership presence to the young Rays clubhouse as a member of three playoff teams, including the 1997 World Champion Marlins. The '06 Mets and '07 Cubs were the other teams Floyd played for that went to the playoffs.

Conference calls with Floyd and executive VP Andrew Friedman are coming up at 2:30.

Comments

[Tim]

Keep plugging holes, Andrew !! I have always liked Cliff Floyd.. Getting another veteran in the clubhouse can't be a bad thing. I feel like the Rays are on the verge of being competitive.

[Scott]

Slowly, but surely, the ownership is putting together pieces of the puzzle. Floyd should be good for 15 HR's and 75-80 RBI's this season, plus provide valuable clubhouse leadership.

[Clark]

Wow. Between how much he's been injured, how many different teams he's been on and how little time he's spent in the AL, it seems hard to believe he has that many AB's at the Trop.

[Pete]

I like the move. I've liked Floyd since his days with Marlins, and I agree with trying to get good value from experienced veteran free agents, a la Carlos Pena.

[baxing glove]

I'll take the under on the 75 RBIs. That's just ridiculous and really shows a superficial understanding of our national pasttime.

[Bob R. (reformed)]

That is so rich, Topkin. He has a .382 batting average at Tropicana Field.

Yeah, only now he will have to face real pitching staffs. You are soooo funny and such a homer. What a joke!!! I'm going to send that nugget to the comic section of the Sporting News. I'm sure someone from Editor and Publisher will flag that one.

And they say there is a comedy writers strike!!

[Bob R.]

Actually that was way too easy. Anyone could have made that comment. But I'm an idiot. What can you expect?

[bax]

That wasn't me. I don't know who's using my name, but I'm not that stupid. I'm tired of people using my name on this website. The Times should really get a grip on this problem.

[The real Bob R.]

Ignore that other guy. I would never call myself an idiot.

[Bob R. (reformed)]

Well, it's hard to tell because you actually are an idiot.

[Kyle]

Glad to see Floyd join the Rays. A veteran catcher next, please. I agree with bax, The Times does need to get a handle on screening out comments not related to the subject...baseball.

[Brooklyn Frank]

Nice signing. I like what the Rays are doing overall this offseason.