MONDAY, 10:39am: MLB.com’s Bill Chastain says Aybar is pleased about his new deal with the Rays and it will be announced soon.
TUESDAY, 5:44pm: The Tampa Tribune’s Marc Lancaster confirms Topkin’s report and has gathered a quote from VP of Baseball Operations, Andrew Friedman:
“It’s premature to comment on it, but I think it’s safe to say that we’re very close.”
3:10pm: According to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times, the Rays are closing in on a two-year deal with an option for infielder Willy Aybar. Aybar is a Super Two player (he has four arbitration years). He’ll be eligible for free agency after the 2012 season.
