Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times says Raul Ibanez’s three-year, $30MM deal puts a ceiling on the market for most of the remaining outfield/DH types. Adam Dunn was, at one point, expected to get at least twice that amount.
The Rays are looking for a hitter, and still have plenty of options. Topkin gives his odds of Jason Giambi, Milton Bradley, Pat Burrell, Garret Anderson, Dunn, Juan Rivera, and Ken Griffey Jr. landing with the Rays. He finds Giambi, possibly on a two-year deal, as the most likely.
The Rays had a .726 OPS against lefties this year (12th in the AL), so they may seek a right-handed bat (Burrell, Rivera) or the switch-hitting Bradley.
Topkin adds that trading Chad Bradford would give the Rays another $3.5MM to work with.
