Jake McGee News

It's been a long 14 months for Jake McGee, but with spring training just around the corner, the Reed graduate can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Nice little piece from a hometown paper here on ol' Clockhands McGee: That's good, because after being added to the 40-man roster last offseason, McGee has been invited to spring training in Port Charlotte, Fla.

Are the Rays going to work with Jake McGee as a closer or stay with him in long relief and occasional starter? -- Tim B., Land O' Lakes, Fla.

LHP Jake McGee remembers two years ago when he and his buddy, RHP Wade Davis , were sitting side-by-side in lockers at Progress Energy Park during their first spring training.

There's an old saying that "pitching wins pennants." If indeed it's so, then Tampa Bay fans won't have to wait much longer for another flag to float over their stadium.

The free-agent season officially begins at midnight ET on Friday, and the Rays will be looking to add quality pieces to improve an already solid club.

Ia m very excited. I was reading the sports wire, and I saw that the Rays are one of the teams who have expressed interest in signing free agent Billy Wagner.

Do you think Jake McGee will see some time in the Major Leagues next year? I know he had Tommy John surgery, but a lefty who throws mid-to-high 90s is always a good commodity.

Rays pitching prospect Matt Gorgen finally made an appearance in a ballpark with the pitch f/x set up.

Can you please tell me why we bother shopping for a closer when we have J.P. Howell? I thought Howell did a fantastic job this year with the closer role and should be our full-time closer.

Tampa Bay Rays The Rays had another banner year on the farm, even if the major league team suffered a bit of a letdown after their AL pennant year of 2008.

Any thinking that the Rays will be highly aggressive this offseason after falling from first to third in the American League East can be forgotten.

Pat Burrell , due $9 million in 2010, isn't movable at that salary. Carlos Pena will make just over $10 million next year, the last of the deal he signed after his breakout 2007 campaign, and despite the frustrations his streakiness engenders, his power numbers aren't easily replaced.

Jake McGee failed to make it through his two-inning rehab stint with the Charlotte Stone Crabs.

Recently demoted starter Andy Sonnanstine has been placed on the 7-day DL for Durham after getting a bout of mononucleosis.

Though he was playing well in Durham, outfielder Rashad Eldridge returned to the Biscuits on Friday.

Former second round pick, Reid Brignac. Browse more photos>> Which starts in 30 minutes,here's a link to MLB.com's draft tracker.

The 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft is expected to make the most noise in the process' history, with advent of the organization's own television network, expanded online coverage and uber-captivating pitching prospect Stephen Strasburg.