The Tampa Bay Rays are demonstrating that they are willing to spend money to keep their own players, at least for the short term. A day after agreeing to a one-year, $14 million deal with ace left-hander David Price to avoid arbitration, the Rays inked outfielder/DH Matt Joyce to a $3.7 million contract for 2014 on Friday.
Like Price, Joyce has been mentioned in multiple trade rumors. An All-Star in 2011, the 29-year-old left-handed hitting corner outfielder batted .235 with a .747 OPS, 18 home runs and 47 RBI in 481 plate appearances for the Rays in 2013.
Joyce is expected to share time in the outfield with David De Jesus, Desmond Jennings and Wil Myers. He is also projected to see time at DH with DeJesus.
Joyce and Price remain trade candidates leading up to spring training, opening day and the July 31 trade deadline.
