--RHP Derek Rodriguez of the White Sox organization was selected by the Rays during the Rule 5 draft. Rodriguez was 5-2 with a 3.29 ERA and two saves in 49 games in 2008, splitting his time between Class AA Birmingham and Class AAA Charlotte.
--RHP Chad Orvella, who spent 2008 rehabbing from shoulder surgery, was outrighted to Class AAA Durham. Orvella was 4-10 with a 5.79 ERA in 69 games with the Rays from 2005-07. --OF/DH Jonny Gomes' days in Tampa Bay appear over now that he was non-tendered. One of the most popular players in team history, Gomes struggled in 2008, batting just .182 with two home runs and 11 RBIs in 77 games. He played mostly against left-handed pitchers and was never part of the Rays' right field platoon. Gomes was optioned to Class AAA Durham on Aug. 5 and didn't rejoin the club until Sept. 13. He was not included on the postseason roster.
--RHP Eduardo Morlan went from the Rays to the Brewers in the Rule 5 draft. Morlan came to the Rays from the Twins in the trade that sent OF Delmon Young to Minnesota for SS Jason Bartlett and RHP Matt Garza. Morlan was 4-2 with two saves and a 3.64 ERA in 47 innings at Class AA Montgomery in 2008.
--It could be a thin spring training as far as front-line players go for fans who want to see the defending American League champs up close. 1B Carlos Pena has expressed interest in playing for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. 2B Akinori Iwamura (Japan), C Dioner Navarro (Venezuela), RHP Grant Balfour (Australia), RHP James Shields and LF Carl Crawford (USA) could each be representing their native countries.
BY THE NUMBERS: 7-1, 2.44 -- Stats for new Yankees LHP CC Sabathia against the Rays.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We've basically talked to all the agents of players that we have interest in. We're still collecting information. I think the agents are doing the same thing, trying to get a sense of which opportunities are real and which ones aren't. It will obviously play out over time. Whether that's in the next week or the next month, I'm not sure. But we'll continue to monitor it. We feel like we're in a good position to get someone that we like." -- Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman, recapping the winter meetings.
