Rays Add Ramirez and Damon

[AFBlue]

Here's the link and lead paragraph...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6045200

A couple of former Red Sox are reuniting in another American League East city.

The Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to one-year deals with free agents Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez, sources confirmed to ESPN.com.

Damon agreed to a one-year deal worth $5.25 million plus incentives and Ramirez one year at $2 million, according to SI.com. Both deals are pending physicals. Damon will likely play left field and Ramirez designated hitter...

Though both players have clearly seen their best days, they come at a relative bargain given their likely prominent roles and projected production.

To put it in perspective, the two combined are making less than any one of Ordonez, C. Pena, D. Lee and Berkman. And both of them should play 125 to 150 games if they manage to stay healthy.

Is Damon going to be Crawford in LF? Absolutely not. But, you could argue that Manny is an upgrade over what they trotted out for DH last year. And I don't know that they're done. They could still trade or buy an arm with the money they saved dealing Bartlett/Garza and letting Pena & the bullpen walk.

They certainly look weaker than last year, and the BoSox and Yankees appear to have gotten stronger...but I wouldn't count out Maddon and that front office from overachieving and making it a good race.

[Mel_13]

Good value signings. Rays are now the favorites to win the 2004 AL pennant.

[Bukefal]

For 2 million? That's a steal

[crc21209]

Eh...two guys clearly passed their prime...I wouldnt expect much. Manny hasnt been the same since his 1st season in L.A. and Damon hasnt done much since his 1st season in NY. And the Rays suffered too many losses in the pitching staff and bullpen to be good this year..

[v2freak]

Good moves for them, given an otherwise brutal offseason.

[AFBlue]

Eh...two guys clearly passed their prime...I wouldnt expect much. Manny hasnt been the same since his 1st season in L.A. and Damon hasnt done much since his 1st season in NY. And the Rays suffered too many losses in the pitching staff and bullpen to be good this year..

Manny batted .298 with and on-base percentage over .400 in over 250 plate appearances. If he comes close to that production over a full season with the Rays for $2M he's an upgrade.

And Damon has played no less than 140 games a season since his rookie year. I don't expect him to bat .300 and hit 25 home runs, but if he can be in the lineup everday and put up career averages, he'll be well worth the money they paid to backfill Crawford.