Report: Rays expected to pick up option on RHP Joel Peralta
The Tampa Bay Rays are expected to exercise their $2.5 million option for 2015 on right-hander Joel Peralta, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports.
Peralta, 39, made 69 appearances and pitched 63.1 innings for the Rays last season with a 4.41 ERA and 1.184 WHIP. He struck out 74 hitters. He led the majors with 80 appearances in 2013. His 69 appearances in 2014 were his fewest since he came to Tampa Bay as a free agent in December 2010.
A 10-year veteran, Peralta was originally signed by the Oakland Athletics out of the Dominican Republic in 1996, but didn’t reach the majors until 2005 with the Los Angeles Angels. He has also pitched for the Kansas City Royals, Colorado Rockies and Washington Nationals, all in relief.
• Report: Giants unlikely to sign Sandoval before free agency
The Rays are in the market for a new manager after Joe Maddon exercised the opt-out clause in his contract to join the Chicago Cubs. The Rays reportedly might file tampering charges against the Cubs for hiring Maddon. Tampa Bay informed its coaches that they will be retained for the 2015 season.
Maddon's departure followed VP of baseball operations Andrew Friedman leaving to become the general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Rays promoted Chaim Bloom and Erik Neander to replace Friedman.
• CORCORAN: Free agency, A-Rod's return among offseason storylines
