Rays sign reliever Lance Cormier
The Rays signed righthanded reliever Lance Cormier to a one-year, $675,000 contract.
To make room on the 40-man roster, they designated for assignment righthander Dewon Day, whom they had just claimed off waivers.
Cormier, 28, was with the Orioles most of last season, going 3-3 with a 4.02 ERA in 45 appearances, allowing only 16 of 47 inherited runners to score. He has also pitched for the Braves and D'backs, and has a career record of 17-21 with a 5.53 ERA. He has the chance to earn an additional $175,000 in incentives.
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Price is best pitcher in the organization...absolutely the best, not just potentially the best. All those relievers and still no proven closer. (Percival needs to retire).
Posted by: ignatz | January 19, 2009 at 05:20 PM
Mikey A so so smart
Posted by: RevengeOfGomes | January 19, 2009 at 11:02 AM
I'm trying to understand this signing other than a contingency. Assuming that we have 12 spots for the Pitching this season, minus 4 rotation spots in place, safely count Balfour, Howell, Wheeler, Bradford, and Nelson for the bullpen, that leaves 3 open spots between Price, Cormier, and 3 guys that have to be on the roster unless they go through waivers (Niemann, Hammel, and rule 5 Rodriguez). I don't know if Talbot or Salas have options left or not (more candidates being lost from the 40 man roster), but I could see them sending Price down to Durham like they did Longoria last year, and keep Cormier, Hammel, and Niemann as the 5th starter and let go of Rodriguez barring no injuries. This team isn't better with Price in AAA, but this signing doesn't make much sense unless someone gets hurt or traded between now and Opening Day.
Posted by: Mikey A | January 19, 2009 at 05:05 AM
I am also surprised that we've not picked up another LHP reliever. Except that there are not all that many out there. Still wondering why we didn't resign Trevor Miller (well, I can think of $2 million reasons, actually). He was terrible against righties, but was excellent as a LHP specialist. Starting to get excited about baseball season! GO RAYS!
Posted by: 9equals8.com | January 16, 2009 at 08:11 PM
He's not bad
Posted by: RevengeOfGomes | January 16, 2009 at 07:10 PM
Why Cormier? I would think we would go after a LH reliever instead.Perhaps we still will.
Posted by: MarkFidrych | January 16, 2009 at 04:49 PM