Tampa comes to terms with five players

[tomsawyer-finn]

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays suffered through a campaign that saw them go down in defeat 56 times. They worked very hard to improve their roster over last season and hope is for a much better result in 1951.

The club announced that it has come to terms on a contract with Gold Glove catcher Eddie Howerton, whose season ended early due to a broken hand, and four other players.

Howerton reportedly signed for a significant pay increase but no figure was announced. Howerton always known for his grim demeanor was smiling broadly as he signed.

On hand for the signing of their contracts were rookie shortstop Bobby Alexander, right fielder Tom Krause, minor league catcher Ron Potter, and center fielder Pedro Torrez.

That leaves only three players unsigned and all are holdouts; starting pitchers Steve Hale and Bob Ryan and infielder Gary Bittker.

The Devil Rays front office is expected to sign both Ryan and Hale this week, but if the past is any indication of things to come Bittker, as he has done every year in the past, will sign in the second or third week of spring training.

[hudgeliberal]

Good stuff bro! Best of luck in the new season!