As many of us have known for a while, the Rays have a chance to make 2012 the year they contend for a World Series. Andrew Friedman, as he typically does, has remained humble about the new-found attention. The Rays have always been winning as underdogs. Nobody has expected it when the Rays have a big year.

This season is a bit different. Nobody will be surprised if the Rays contend. They have had a big offseason, filling all of their big voids and adding pop to the lineup. Add that to the great starting rotation and the Rays have something going. Friedman does not want us to get ahead of ourselves, saying that the Rays play in a tough division, but we all know the Rays will contend in 2012.

Rays News and Notes

• Marc Topkin of theTampa Bay Times wrote an interesting article on the Rays payroll boost for 2012. Stu Sternberg opened his checkbook, allowing the Rays to add to the team without trading anybody, specifically the starting pitchers.
• Another day, another Jose Molina article. The Times has an article out on Molina’s hopes to become the front-line catcher for 2012. He has never really done that before, but the Rays will need him to step up, considering his inexperienced backups Robinson Chirinos and Jose Lobaton.
• Two smaller notes from Marc Topkin. Single game tickets will go on sale February 25th, so start planning the games you want to see. Also, yesterday’s Fan Fest was a big success, drawing 25,000 and raising $100,000 for charity.
• We will end on a non-Rays related note. In case you haven’t seen this already, the Yankees traded A.J. Burnett to the Pirates for prospects. The deal will become official tomorrow.

As usual, the players will be accessible for autographs, Reading with the Rays, and MetroPCS call a friend. The wristbands for autographs will be sold this year for $50 and must be purchased by everyone, including children, a change from last year. All proceeds will go to the Florida chapter of the ALS Association. Head over to The Heater for more information.

Rays News and Notes

• With Fan Fest on Saturday, the Rays will debut Raymond’s new sidekick. DJ Kitty, the mascot will be on hand for pictures on Saturday. I didn’t really like the DJ Kitty thing from the beginning, so I find the mascot unnecessary, but the kids will sure love this new furry character.
• In some more team-related news, the Rays signed catcher Chris Gimenez, according to Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune. Gimenez got a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. He has spent some time in the big leagues, with little success. Most likely another Durham filler move.
• With the season fast approaching, the season previews are rolling in. Phil Rogers, a normally respectable writer from the Chicago Tribune, wrote a laughable article on the Rays vanishing from the bay area. Rogers seemed to make things up in this post, so read it at your own discretion.
• Yahoo! published their Pressing Questions for the Rays, focusing on the Rays fantasy impact players for the 2012 season. As you might imagine, the Rays have quite a few great fantasy players, so be sure to stock up in your upcoming drafts.
• The Orlando Sentinel also published their Rays questions, offering a good Rays offseason recap. If you have been busy getting soaked up in Tebow-mania or Lin-sanity lately, be sure to read this article.
• Finally, from the tabloid department of RCG, NESN.com is reporting that Evan Longoria is dating Playboy Playmate Jamie Edmondson. My biggest beef? She’s a Red Sox fan. Way to go, Evan.

Even though he didn’t win, Niemann will still have a nice raise for next season. Considering he was only able to muster a 11-7 record with a 4.06 ERA last season, I would be pretty happy if I were him. If the Rays were to trade a starter before the season starts, I would hope it would be Niemann since he will make more than Wade Davis next season. For a small market team like the Rays, every penny counts.

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