AFL overview: Hughes makes statement

Longoria named to Topps Rookie Team

Evan Longoria continues to reap the spoils of a stellar rookie campaign by being named to the Topps 50th Annual Major League Rookie All-Star Team.

Miller's deal with Cards not yet set

Early reports on Thursday morning from various media sources indicated that Trever Miller, who pitched for the Rays in 2008, was headed to the Cardinals. But Cardinals GM John Mozeliak threw up a caution sign late Thursday afternoon.

Three pitchers nearly fill out roster

The Rays moved closer to filling their 40-man roster Thursday by adding three pitchers -- righties Wade Davis and Dale Thayer and lefty Jake McGee -- to put them at 39 players.

Magrane leaves Rays for MLB Network

Joe Magrane is leaving the Rays' broadcasting team to join the fledgling MLB Network, joining an increasingly impressive roster of on-air talent.

Rays unveil Spring Training schedule

The Rays' 2009 Spring Training home schedule includes two games against the Red Sox; one each against the World Series champion Phillies and the Yankees; the first matchup with the Cardinals since 1998; and a game against the Puerto Rican National Team.

Miller close to joining Cardinals

Several sources are reporting that Trever Miller has signed a contract to pitch for the Cardinals in 2009 and needs only to pass a physical for the deal to come to fruition.

Giambi a member of Rays?

In Wednesday's edition of the New York Post, George King speculated that Jason Giambi could be a good fit for the Rays.

Rays serve Thanksgiving in St. Pete

A nice turnout greeted the Rays on Wednesday night when they served a traditional Thanksgiving dinner to the families at the newly opened Childs Park YMCA in St. Petersburg.

Price set for Rays rotation in 2009

On Tuesday, Andrew Friedman put the kibosh on any notions David Price might be in the bullpen, when the Rays' executive vice president of baseball operations said: "He's definitely a starter. He's definitely going to be a starter."

Trio of Rays receive AL MVP votes

No, the Rays did not have a winner Tuesday when Boston's Dustin Pedroia took home American League Most Valuable Player Award honors, but Carlos Pena, Evan Longoria and Jason Bartlett all received votes, putting the Rays in a tie with the Angels and Rangers for having the most players receiving votes.

Rays launch ticket campaign for 2009

Hoping to fill up Tropicana Field in 2009, the Rays have embarked on an ambitious campaign to increase the season-ticket holder base that ranked near the bottom of Major League Baseball in 2008.

Mailbag: What's the outlook for '09?

The Rays made an amazing run during 2008, but will it continue next season? What is Edwin Jackson's role on the team moving forward? Should Willy Aybar move to right field? Beat reporter Bill Chastain answers these questions and more in the latest edition of the mailbag.

Maddon honors Challis' family

It's been well documented that Rays manager Joe Maddon has his family roots in eastern Pennsylvania. But at the Rivers Club in downtown Pittsburgh on Saturday night, it became quite evident that Maddon's family stretches to the western most part of the state, as well.

Rays to get Percival's decision soon

Next week Troy Percival is expected to make a decision on whether he will opt for offseason back and right knee surgeries, according to his agent, Paul Cohen.

Zobrist transforms into 'Zorilla'

Ben Zobrist experienced an epiphany in 2008, roaring back to the Major Leagues and showing significant improvement in his confidence and abilities.

Rays have specific targets on market

After the Rays made it to the World Series for the first time in the club's history, the Tampa Bay organization has said right field and bullpen help are among the club's top priorities.

Hot Stove blog: Rays looking at Atkins?

Maddon revels in award on honeymoon

On Saturday, Joe Maddon got married to fiancee Jaye Sousoures in Fullerton, Calif., and is spending all week traveling through Europe for his honeymoon. So when Maddon chimed in to speak to baseball writers about being named the American League Manager of the Year on Wednesday, the three-year Rays skipper was already basking in Rome.

Upton undergoes shoulder surgery

Rays center fielder B.J. Upton had surgery on Tuesday to repair a labrum in his non-throwing left shoulder. It was performed by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala.

Maddon's award an understatement

This dramatic change in status, from perpetual doormat to World Series team, is a tribute to the entire Rays organization. But Joe Maddon was at the center of it, completely altering the culture of defeat, making victory possible.

Maddon honored as AL's top skipper

Joe Maddon continued the parade of Rays postseason awards on Wednesday when he won the American League Manager of the Year Award as voted on by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Rays foundation awards nonprofits

The Rays Baseball Foundation awarded a total of $150,000 to three local nonprofit organizations through the club's All-Star Grant during Tuesday's event at the Batters' Eye Restaurant.

Maddon shoo-in for top AL manager

While baseball's other awards reward achievement, Managers of the Year are honored for overachievement. And no team surprised in 2008 like Joe Maddon's Rays.

Longoria, Maddon win Legacy Awards

In a week that is seeing them both receive plenty of favorable recognition, Rays manager Joe Maddon and third baseman Evan Longoria were honored with Legacy Awards by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum on Monday.