Rays decline options on Floyd, Miller

The Rays have declined to exercise options for DH Cliff Floyd and LHP Trever Miller for the 2009 season, making both veterans free agents.

Floyd, 35, was acquired as a free agent before last season and was credited with playing a big role not only with his clubhouse presence, but on the field as a designated hitter, hitting 11 homers and racking up 39 RBI in 80 games.

Floyd suffered a right shoulder injury during the World Series and had to be taken off the postseason roster (replaced by Eric Hinske). When reached Monday, Floyd said he had further tests and found out he did tear a labrum in his shoulder; if he had surgery, doctors told him he'd be ready for spring training.

Floyd said he understood the Rays' decision -- "it's a business" -- but appeared willing to talk to the Rays about coming back, maybe at a lesser price. (Floyd's option for 2009 was $2.75-million, and Miller's was $2-million).

Either way, Floyd was thrilled to be part of the Rays' remarkable turnaround in 2008 from worst to World Series. And if a team wants him back, if the "right situation" came up, he'd consider having the surgery to be back for spring.

"It was awesome, man," Floyd said. "If this is the way I'm supposed to go out, it's unbelievable. The guys were great; we had a great time. Everybody in the organization is first class. We went through a lot this year. We grew up as a team and as a family. And it was a treat to be around guys that really wanted to work hard and make this change. I'm definitely happy to be part of it."

Miller, in his second stint with the Rays, went 2-0 with a 4.15 ERA in 68 games as primarily a left-handed specialist out of the bullpen.

"You never know what will happen," Floyd said. "I can come back at a different rate. I can come back with a less amount. We'll see what direction they go in. If it sounds good and everybody's happy, you'll see me in camp."

Floyd and Miller join OF Rocco Baldelli and OF Eric Hinske as Rays free agents.

In other Rays news, backup C Michel Hernandez has received an outright assignment to Triple-A Durham.

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

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Comments

[Billy Ballgame]

skp: Griffey? LOL
that guy is almost 40 and NEVER been a leader ... just not in his makeup

[Carol]

Dump Kazmir and get a decent starter. Kazmir always gets the Rays in a deep hole at the beginning of games and then falls apart. He is not a big mystery to opposing batters...

[joeknowsbaseball]

The key to this team is its youthful nucleus. The critical needs are a solid backup at catcher, a lock-closer and a Rightside power hitter(35+hrs).

The Rays were very beatable vs lefty pitchers. The remarkable season is over. Reality is that we have a solid foundation to continue to build upon.

Navarro needs a veteran backup to spell him and keep the dropoff minor.

Percival will not be the fulltime closer. Price is a starter in 2009 and Balfour needs a few more pitches...maybe he'll find them in the offseason.

The good news is that the farm system is just as fertile in 2009 as it was in 2008.

More to come.

[9equals8.com]

Floyd is falling apart (physically), but he said he'd be willing to get the surgery if a team wants him (I read this to mean if the Rays want him back). If they can sign him for the right money, I would love to see him back.

For $1.6mm, the Rays can upgrade Miller. He's a good guy, but with the emergence of JP Howell, Miller can be let go and a spot is opened for an upgrade.

Rays core team is back next year and the players that filed for FA are fringe. As great a story as Rocco was for this team, losing him is not a big blow to the Rays. And, who knows, maybe they will bring him back for less money. He fits in well here and would be foolish to pass up any offer the Rays make him. Very good player, super guy, but lots of risk for a team that needs to be careful with its payroll.

Re: Troy Percival, the tough reality is that the Rays are on the hook for $4mm in 2009 regardless of what they do with him. And, he is not tradeable. We can all hope and pray they he gets healthy and we get 28 saves out of him in 2009. That would be a great outcome. Since he makes up nearly 10% of your 2008 salary, it's hard not to have the guy back if he gets himself healthy by Spring Training.

[skp]

i think we need a guy like floyd in the clubhouse, not sure that a year of floyd and percival was enough to turn former neophytes into clubhouse leaders. i'm not sure we rebound from that pre-all-star skid as emphatically as we did without those veterans there, and there are bound to be rough patches next year too

.....griffey is still out there, we need somebody in his or floyd's mold to keep the team on track

if you're not in a rays uni next spring, good luck on the pro bowling tour, cliff....

[Edgar]

Floyd and Miller are gone. Floyd just needs to retire and enjoyed his accomplishments as a leader for Rays. In reality, it is time to move on and enjoy retirement. Trever Miller is not a huge loss for Tampa. Acquire either Brian Fuentes, Huston Street, or Chad Cordero to be the full time closer. The next player to go is Troy Percival. Don't waste your time with him;he is old and briddle. Bring back Rocco at a cheaper price and get a veteran RF that can drive in the runs. Trade Edwin Jackson for a DH/OF. They learned their lesson for not getting Xavier Nady or Jason Bay.

[Vic]

It's sad to see cliff and trever go, but i hope we resign rocco for a 1-year deal this way we have a full time DH next year. Floyd will probably retire soon but it will be really cool to see him back as our hitting coach!

[MD]

I'll be sorry to see Floyd go. He's such a positive influence on the team and so well-spoken. Miller has struggled but he's a great guy, too... Unfortunately baseball (like most of life) isn't always built on just nice guys.

[The Magnetism of Robin Zander]

Happy Trails, Cliffy. You'll be missed.

[Ray]

Cole, you can't be serious, can you? Closet Dead Sux/Yankmee fan I'll bet?

With their starting pitching (which will be better due to Price) and the defense, they should be better.

Especially if they get a better offensive DH and RF'r.

[Bobby R.]

Baldelli is a problem. His projected salary and non-everyday status makes him a liability. Re-signing him for $$$$ would destroy team chemistry.Cut him!!!!

[Timmy T]

Cole is a bitter boston or ny fan....lol. pissed cause the rays are the new beasts of the east! haha cole! keep cryin'....lol

[Jay]

Cole: Red Sox or Yankee fan? LOL......... in your dreams. The only thing that will be under 50% will be your 401K!

[Jay]

With Floyd's presence in the clubhouse, maybe, some sort of bench coaching job might be possible. I would hate to lose Hernandez but Floyd would fit in somewhere..... and like he said, he might take less money to stay aboard!

[Glenn]

Some players are winners and Cliff Floyd is a winner. It seems he is always on a post season team..94 Expos (great team anyway), 97 Marlins, Mets, Cubs, Rays.....

Love to have him back.

[Joe]

Kaz and Jackson are next on the block.
Trade them for a true lead man in the rotation.

Get out of the Percival situation now, cut our losses while now rather than rack em up in the L column when it counts

[Billie]

Just because these players are free agents doesn't mean the Rays can't sign them again. I think the decisions to go this route allows the Rays some room and leverage to make the best decisions for next season. I'd love to see Rocco back, but only for a reasonable price.

[Amanda]

Cole, none of those three are definitely gone. I predict we resign Rocco, and Floyd for lesser money. Miller? No idea. I really don't know. Hard to get a feel on that one. But I honestly believe the first two will be Rays again next year.

[cole]

first Baldelli and now this... The RAYS had their chance this year. Expect the Rays to finish under .500 next year....

This is a one and done team

[The Commish]

Two classy gentlemen. Hope the Rays will find room for them in the organization. Might Trever be interested in being a minor-league pitching coach (in Port Charlotte?); I'd sure like to see Cliff inspiring some youngsters about the right way of playing baseball.

[Andrew]

Cliff Floyd is all class and a big part of the Rays transformation. Experience in the clubhouse cannot be underestimated.

Good luck Cliff wherever you end up.

[Kevin]

Floyd deserves and needs to be part of the Rays organization for as long as he wants to. HE IS SINGULARLY RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING UPTON IN GEAR. He is an inspiration for us all and the Rays should find a way to keep him in the organization.

[Rodger]

Big thanks to Cliff and Trever, you guys helped make it all possible! I hope Cliff doesnt need surgery and I hope Miller goes to a contender.

[Big Man]

With Miller gone, that now opens up a spot for E Jack in the bullpen and Price in the rotation!

I agree with Rocco being full time DH!

[Lisa]

Big thanks to both Floyd and Miller for their efforts this season. It's sad to see them go. Floyd was a big reason we got to the post season - he provided veteran leadership to newbies.

[Dave]

Got to sign Rocco first. Him and Aybar need to be around for quite some time.

[James Ensor]

Joe... Any word on who we have to send to Baltimore for Bradford? Strange it has not been announced, but maybe I just missed it.

[Gene]

Perhaps the declining of Floyd opens up the full time DH for Baldelli? He certainly would be able to play more often just being the DH. Playing in the OF takes too much energy from him and he would then only be a part time player.