To make room for David Price in the starting rotation in 2009 the Rays will likely move either Andy Sonnanstine or Edwin Jackson before spring training for a big bat. The Rays would want either a DH or a RF for Sonnanstine or Jackson. The Rays should make a play for 1B Ryan Garko of the Indians with the idea of making him a full time DH. The Indians might have a interest in Sonnanstine who is a local boy from Ohio. I’m not so sure the Indians would do this straight up but if the Rays threw in Juan Salas this trade would probably be made. Garko would give the Rays a inexpensive righty slugger while the Indians would get a solid starting pitcher in Sonnanstine so this would be a win/win trade.

The Rays have likely lost 25-year old righty pitcher Wade Townsend for the 2009 season due to surgery on his right shoulder. Townsend pitched in 28 games (9 starts) in A+AA ball last season and he was 1-6 with a 6.07 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP. Townsend has been a huge disappointment for the Rays who expected him to be a legit prospect but he hasn’t shown much yet.

The Tampa Bay Rays will likely be looking for a starting RF, a DH and a second lefty in the bullpen to team with J.P. Howell. Juan Rivera appears to be a perfect fit for the RF job as he played for Joe Maddon when he was with the Angels. Rivera has a big time bat but he has never really gotten a real opportunity to play every day and show what he can do. That wouldn’t be a problem with the Rays. A lot of veteran hitters will be looking for work in the Rays’ price range when it comes to the DH spot. Kevin Millar, Sean Casey, Tony Clark, Nomar Garciaparra and Emil Brown will all be looking for work. The idea I like the best though is making a play for Moises Alou who is a great hitter still when he is healthy. Arthur Rhodes, Dennys Reyes and Alan Embree will likely all get attention from the Rays to team with Howell. Look for the Rays to be smart shoppers in free agency.

The Rays have outrighted 30-year old righty swinging catcher Michel Hernandez to AAA making him a free agent. Hernandez played in 5 games with the Rays last season and he was 3 for 15 (.200 avg, .400 OPS) with 2 runs scored. He also played in 76 games in AAA ball last season and he was 67 for 252 (.266 avg, .690 OPS) with 29 runs scored, 3 homers and 17 RBIs. Some team will likely give Hernandez a chance to continue his baseball career over the winter.

The Rays have declined 35-year old lefty reliever Trever Miller’s 2009 option valued at $1.6 million bucks. Miller pitched in 68 games (0 starts) for the Rays last season and he was 2-0 with 2 saves, a 4.15 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Miller pitched in three seasons with the Rays in his career covering 189 games (0 starts) in which he was 5-3 with 3 saves, a 3.75 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. Miller should have no problem hooking on with another team over the winter.