The Tampa Bay Rays still have some holes in their roster, but they have starting pitching depth to fill them in trade. The Rays could use a catcher to share time with Jose Molina, a starting 1B, a starting DH and a starting caliber shortstop. The Rays could also deal B.J. Upton as the Nationals are really interested in dealing for him. The Rays could bring back Johnny Damon and Casey Kotchman and call it a day, but I think they want to see if they can fill those holes with young guys (and cheaper ones) that they can get in return for Wade Davis (or Jeff Niemann) and B.J. Upton. If they trade Upton though, a left fielder would also be a need with Desmond Jennings sliding over to CF. It will be interesting to watch the Rays in the next couple of months before free agency as they have a few players that other organizations really want.

The Rays have re-signed 35-year old righty reliever Joel Peralta to a 1-year, $2,175,000 dollar deal. Peralta pitched in 71 games (0 starts) for the Rays last year and he was 3-4 with 6 saves, a 2.93 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP. He only gave up 44 hits while whiffing 61 batters in 67 2/3 innings last year for the Rays as he showed he still has good stuff. Peralta also showed good control as he only walked 18 batters last year. He has now pitched in 331 games (0 starts) in his first 7 years in the majors and he is 8-15 with 8 saves, a 3.99 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. This was a smart move for the Rays as Peralta will set up again for Kyle Farnsworth in 2012.

The Rays have decided not to tender a contract to 28-year old starter/reliever Andy Sonnanstine for the 2012 season, making him a free agent. Sonnanstine pitched in 15 games (4 starts) for the Rays last year and he was 0-2 with a 5.55 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. He pitched in 132 games (80 starts) in his five years with the Rays and he was 28-31 with 1 save, a 5.26 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. The Rays aren’t going to miss Sonnanstine as they are loaded in the starting rotation.

The Rays have acquired 28-year old righty reliever Burke Badenhop from the Miami Marlins for 24-year old lefty swinging catcher Jake Jefferies. Badenhop pitched in 50 games (0 starts) for the Marlins last year and he was 2-3 with 1 save, a 4.10 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. He has now pitched in 151 games (10 starts) in his first four years in the majors and he is 13-15 with 2 saves, a 4.34 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Badenhop should help the Rays in 2012 out of the bullpen and he didn’t cost much. Jake Jefferies played in 65 games in A+AA-ball for the Rays last year and he was 53 of 223 (.238 avg, .610 OPS) with 21 runs scored, 2 homers, 32 RBIs and 1 stolen base.

The Rays have signed 28-year old lefty swinging 1B Juan Miranda to a minor league deal. Miranda played in 65 games for the Diamondbacks last year and he was 37 for 174 (.213 avg, .717 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 7 homers and 23 RBIs. He has now played in 111 games in his first four years in the majors and he is 58 for 257 (.226 avg, .740 OPS) with 29 runs scored, 11 homers and 37 RBIs. Miranda will have a good shot of making the Rays next spring as he has a nice power bat from the left side.