Tampa Bay Rays general manager Andrew Friedman has said he’s
still looking for one or two relievers this winter, reports Joe Smith of The
Tampa Bay Times.
Friedman said they're still looking for one or two relievers, and he has a track record of acquiring quality arms for the bullpen, such as RHP Dan Wheeler in 2007, Troy Percival in 2008, Rafael Soriano and Joaquin Benoit in 2010 and Peralta and RHP Juan Cruz in 2011.
Smith notes that Tampa Bay’s core group of late-inning arms
will return in 2013, including Joel Peralta, Fernando Rodney and Jake McGee.
Wade Davis was traded to the Kansas City Royals along with James Shields, but free
agent acquisition Roberto Hernandez could step into his role if he doesn’t
crack the Rays’ rotation.
Free agents J.P. Howell and Kyle Farnsworth are candidates
to return, and if Tampa Bay decides to remain in-house to fill its vacancies it
could go with right-hander Brandon Gomes and whichever pitcher doesn’t make the
starting rotation; Hernandez, Alex Cobb or Chris Archer.
Follow @mlbinjurynews
