Rays sign Gabe Kapler

[Cowtipper]

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays added to their outfield depth Monday afternoon when they agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract with free agent Gabe Kapler.

Kapler, 33, played in 96 games for the Brewers in 2008, hitting .301 with eight home runs and 38 RBIs.

Kapler began his Major League career with the Tigers in 1998 and has spent parts of 12 seasons in the Major Leagues with the Tigers, Rangers, Rockies, Red Sox and Brewers, compiling a .273 career average with 72 home runs and 340 RBIs.

In addition to Kapler, the Rays' right-field situation now includes Gabe Gross, Fernando Perez, Justin Ruggiano and Matt Joyce.

Kapler hits right-handed and hit .354 with four home runs and 22 RBIs in 82 at-bats against left-handed pitching in 2008.

To make room for Kapler, the Rays will need to move a player from the 40-man roster, but have yet to announce who that will be

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...2008&fext=.jsp

[raysnbran]

A good depth signing, and from what I hear, a locker room leader. He was a minor league manager for the Red Sox in A ball, and then wanted to get back in the game again. He might be in a platoon situation with Matt Joyce. And I think this might spell the end for Gabe Gross. Friedman continues to get quality for little quantity $$$s.

[Cowtipper]

To make room for Kapler...

ST. PETERSBURG -- In a corresponding move by the Rays to clear a space for newly acquired outfielder Gabe Kapler on the 40-man roster, Jae Kuk Ryu was designated for assignment Tuesday.

Ryu, 25, pitched in just one game for the Rays, holding the Mariners hitless and scoreless for 1 1/3 innings on April 9. He then opened the year in the rotation at Triple-A Durham, where he went 1-2 with a 4.38 ERA in five starts before having to undergo season-ending arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow in July.

The Rays acquired Ryu from the Cubs on Feb. 13, 2007. He went 1-2 with a 7.33 ERA for Tampa Bay in '07 and has a 1-3 career mark with a 7.49 ERA.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...2008&fext=.jsp