Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays picked up their $10 million 2010 option to keep three-time All-Star Carl Crawford.

For now.

Both Crawford and the Rays are said to be "very interested" in discussing a long-term deal that would allow Crawford, 28, to remain with the only team he has played for.

But reaching an agreement is likely to be difficult.

Crawford is the Rays' all-time leader in hits, games, RBIs and steals, and he is coming off arguably the best of his eight seasons. But he has been playing under a long-term deal that has left him underpaid compared with other players with similar accomplishments, and it seems likely he will want to be compensated at a higher level. The Rays, however, would seem unlikely to have the resources to commit the $12 million to $15 million a year it would take to do so.

An extension, Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said, is "going to take some creativity."

If the Rays don't feel they can re-sign Crawford, they would have to decide whether to trade him during the offseason, wait until the July deadline to see if they are in the race, or keep him and take the draft-pick compensation.

"Carl is a big part of what we've accomplished and what we will accomplish in the future," Friedman said.

--rhp J

eff Niemann finished fourth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting, won by Oakland's Andrew Bailey, and felt pretty good about it since he wasn't sure if he would even be on the team this season. "It was an honor to be in the mix," Niemann said. "Bailey had great numbers, an All-Star appearance, so you can't take that away from him. … Hopefully I can build off what I did and take it into next year."

• OF Desmond Jennings and RHP Jeremy Hellickson were added to the 40-man roster, which shields top prospects from being selected in the Rule 5 draft. Though neither is expected to make the Rays' roster out of spring training, both figure heavily in the team's future plans. LHP Alex Torres, acquired from the Angels as part of the Scott Kazmir trade, was also added.

• 1B Carlos Pena was reinstated from the 60-day disabled list, filling the Rays' roster at 40. Pena's season ended Sept. 7 when he had two fingers broken by a pitch from Yankees LHP CC Sabathia, and he ended up sharing the AL home run title with New York's Mark Teixeira at 39. He is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.

• Class AAA Durham manager Charlie Montoyo won the Mike Coolbaugh Award, given to an individual who has "shown outstanding baseball work ethic, knowledge of the game and skill in mentoring young players on the field."

  Montoyo, who led Durham to a third straight Southern Division championship, said, "I am very humbled and honored to win this award because of what he represents."

• LHP Brian Shouse filed for free agency, eliminating the possibility a deal would be worked out before he hit the open market. Shouse was ineffective and injured much of the season, and the Rays declined a $2 million option. LHP Randy Choate emerged as an effective option, and LHP J.P. Howell spent much of the season in the closer's role.

• 1B Chris Richard opted for free agency after being outrighted to Class AAA Durham. He reportedly was trying out in Japan.

By The Numbers:

42—Percent increase in World Series TV rating with the Phillies playing the Yankees rather than the Rays.

Quote To Note:

"It's crazy how full circle things have come. The humble beginnings and what really happened, where we are now. It's a great story for me to tell, and it never gets old. I still find myself kind of wondering how everything worked out the way it did."

—RHP Jeff Niemann, on emerging as the team's top winner.

The Rays don't think they have to make a lot of changes to improve their team; they'll focus on catcher and the bullpen. With the expected additions of OF Matt Joyce and INF Sean Rodriguez from Class AAA, the Rays think they could be set in the field, and they are happy with their rotation. Adding a couple relievers will be important.

Biggest Needs:

The Rays are going to perform at least a partial makeover of the bullpen, looking to add at least two proven relievers to help a unit that struggled down the stretch. Their biggest priority will be to improve the quality and depth of their catching situation, given the decline of Dioner Navarro. They will at least talk to teams about moving disappointing DH Pat Burrell, as much for salary relief as the chance to use more productive hitters they already have.

Arrival:

RHP Jesse Chavez (trade with Pirates), RHP Ramon Ramirez (claimed off waivers from Reds).

Departures:

2B Akinori Iwamura (traded to Pirates), C Michel Hernandez (free agent, signed minor league deal with Orioles).

Free Agents:

RHP Chad Bradford, RHP Jason Isringhausen, RHP Troy Percival, RHP Russ Springer, LHP Brian Shouse, C Gregg Zaun.

The Rays allowed all five relievers to become free agents as they seek to remake their bullpen. Talks could continue with Zaun depending on what other options the team explores at the catching position.

Arbitration-eligible:

RHP Grant Balfour, SS Jason Bartlett, RHP Jeff Bennett, LHP Randy Choate, RHP Lance Cormier, RHP Matt Garza, OF Gabe Gross, LHP J.P. Howell, C Dioner Navarro, CF B.J. Upton.

1B Chris Richard was released, and the list is likely to shrink further as the Rays release a few of the fringe players, such as Bennett, and consider non-tendering Gross and even Navarro, who has been their primary starters. Bartlett, in his second year of arbitration, and first-timers Upton and Garza are in line for significant raises.

In Limbo:

DH Pat Burrell's season was such a disappointment, the Rays may look to trade him, even if they have to eat some of the money, as his salary jumps to $9 million next season. Cs Dioner Navarro and Shawn Riggans could all be on the bubble as the Rays seek to improve quality and depth at that position. RHP Andy Sonnanstine's season-long struggles have reduced him to a candidate for a long-relief job in the bullpen.

Medical Watch:

C Dioner Navarro (left elbow surgery in October 2009) is expected to be ready for spring training.

OF Fernando Perez (left shoulder surgery in October 2009) is expected to be ready for spring training.

1B Carlos Pena (broken left index and middle fingers) was said to be recovering well and should be 100 percent by the end of November.

RHP Chad Bradford (mild discomfort in right elbow) didn't pitch the final week of the season. He will consider retirement after an injury-shortened and frustrating season.

RHP Jason Isringhausen (Tommy John elbow surgery in June 2009) expects to be ready by midseason 2010; he will be a free agent then.

RHP Troy Percival (back, shoulder) is expected to retire.