Rays News – Joel Peralta re-signed to two-year deal

Peralta signs new deal with Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay Rays reliever Joel Peralta wanted to stay with the team all along. “I wish I wasn’t a free agent. Definitely I want to be back. I’m wishing, I’m hoping, I’m praying that I can come back here. This feels like home,” he said. Apparently the Rays felt the same way.

The Rays and free-agent Peralta have agreed to terms on a new contract, reportedly a two-year deal for $6-million, with a $2.5-million option for 2015.

The Rays typically rebuild their bullpen on a yearly basis, but the Peralta signing keeps a effective late inning combination together. The race previously picked up the option on closer Fernando Rodney.

Power left-hander Jake McGee set to return as well.  Peralta  is expected to serve as the Rays primary setup man.

Peralta was suspended eight games when umpires found excessive pine tar in his glove during a June game in Washington. considered a workhorse of the Rays bullpen, Peralta worked  71 games in 2011 and 76 in 2012.

Other Rays news –

James Shields , Jeremy Hellickson, reportedly have been generating major trades interest. The Rays are historically very quiet when it comes to these types of reports so take them with a grain of salt.
The Rays are viewed by most other teams to have a surplus of pitching, thus the continued trade chatter, including news about potentially trading American league Cy Young candidate David Price

B.J. Upton received a one-year $13.3 million qualifying offer from the team, essentially to guarantee a draft pick should another team signed up into a new deal. The Rangers and Phillies have been mentioned as two early possibilities.