SUNDAY: Marc Lancaster has a conflicting report on the Shouse deal. He says it’s a one-year deal with an option, not a two-year deal. Says Lancaster, "ESPN.com first reported the deal, calling it a two-year contract, but our information is that only 2009 is guaranteed, with a team option for 2010." Shouse’s agent, Slade Mead, was quoted saying, "He will get a two-year deal."
SATURDAY 3:37pm: The Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to a two-year deal with Brian Shouse, reports Buster Olney.
The deal is pending a physical, which is reportedly scheduled for Thursday.
The 40-year-old lefty went 5-1 with a 2.81 ERA in 51.3 innings with the Brewers in 2008. He held lefties to a .180/.196/.290 line in 104 plate appearances. Since Shouse declined the Brewers’ offer of arbitration in December, Milwaukee will receive a supplemental pick.
Ken Rosenthal believes that the deal would likely be for somewhere between $1-2MM per season.
