The Rays made a few minor moves earlier today. According to a Tweet by Matt Eddy of Baseball America, the Rays signed three players to minor league contracts. Among the new acquisitions, are ex-Detroit Tiger infielder Will Rhymes, outfielder Jesus Feliciano, and relief pitcher Romulo Sanchez. Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports that all three were handed an invitation to Spring Training.
Will Rhymes, who is incredibly just 5'9" and 155 pounds, played a total of 83 MLB games through his two seasons in Detroit. He owns a career line of .283/.341/.370 in the big leagues, but had a much better 2010 (.304 BA) than 2011 (.235 BA). The 28 year-old second baseman is a good fielder and a good contact hitter; two things you must be if you're under a 160 pounds in the majors. The Rays seem to be pretty set at second base with Ben Zobrist, but you'll likely see Rhymes get some big league playing time in 2012.
Jesus Feliciano, 32, has spent the past five years of his pro career in the Mets' farm system. The left-handed outfielder played 54 Major League games in 2010, batting .231 through 108 at-bats. Feliciano struggled in the minors last year (AA and AAA), after batting over .300 through four straight years (2007-2010) in Triple-A ball.
Right-handed reliever Romulo Sanchez is returning to the MLB after spending all of 2011 in Japan. Sanchez does have some big league experience, though, playing in both the Pirates' and Yankees' organizations. The 27 year-old Venezuelan has a career ERA of 4.04 through 35.2 innings pitched in the majors.
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