Gomes close to a deal ...
Rays OF/DH Jonny Gomes was close to a deal Wednesday evening on a one-year contract to avoid arbitration. Final numbers had not been set, but talks were in the range of $1.25-million with some incentives.
Gomes was one of three players remaining in arbitration. Talks are continuing with LHP Scott Kazmir and 1B Carlos Pena with a team-mandated Friday deadline approaching. Executive VP Andrew Friedman said the Rays "remain optimistic" of settling both cases.



Wow - 1.25 for a guy that hit 244 with 126 K's ???
Posted by: MLnFL | January 17, 2008 at 06:24 AM
Wow - 1.25 for a guy that hit 244 with 126 K's ???
Posted by: MLnFL | January 17, 2008 at 06:25 AM
1.25 has got to be around or below the major league avg so I'm ok with that deal but I would never invest in multiple years for Gomes. I was hoping we could trade one of our many pitching prospects for Andre Either to play RF but that didnt happen. We have Kaz under control for 3 more years so hopefully after this season we will have improved to a +.500 team and Kaz will have changed his mind about management and want to stay and we can lock him up to a 4 yr, 44 mil deal or something simmilar. Pena is a "show me again" type case and I have a feeling if he does have another great year the Yanks will over pay for him, they've flirted with him in the past.
GO RAYS!!! 3rd in the AL East this year, WC next year!
2009 AL CY YOUNG- Scott Kazmir
2010 AL MVP-Evan Longira
2010 WS vs Milwaukee!!!
Read this link; very telling of our future...LOOKIN BRIGHT!!!!
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/features/265414.html
Posted by: Ryan S | January 17, 2008 at 08:15 AM
We have control of Pena for next year as well. He wants to play here but the Rays have to make sure he was not a 1 year wonder. If they sign him to 3yr/30 million and it was a fluke, all of you people would give the organization crap for that. Why would you pay someone who has been in the league and never done anything like an all star after 1 good season when you control him for the next two?? lets see what he can do.
Posted by: Sean | January 17, 2008 at 08:44 AM
Is the type of player Maddon likes, he hustles. Strikes out alot but can hit the ball hard when he is in the zone.
Posted by: RZ | January 17, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Sean, well said. If it comes down to it, the money needs to go to Kaz, not Pena.
This is the link I meant to send in previous post.
http://thestatpack.blogspot.com/2008/01/stat-pack-20-plus-exclusive-interview.html
Posted by: Ryan S | January 17, 2008 at 12:13 PM