Tampa Bay Rays still have pitching to deal after filling most holes through free agency

In this week's edition of Rays Roundup: Carlos Pena says there is another chapter to be written in the Rays' story, the signing of Jeff Keppinger gives the team some punch off the bench, Justin Ruggiano and Russ Canzler are designated for assignment and top prospects Tim Beckham and Hak-Ju Lee are headed to big league camp. All of that plus more inside.

Free agent infielder Jeff Keppinger has signed to a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. The 31-year-old Keppinger who plays shortstop as well as second and third base split last season between the Houston Astros and San Francisco Giants, combining to bat .277. A .281 career hitter in seven seasons with the Mets, Royals, Reds, Astros and Giants, the right-handed batting Keppinger...

The signing of Jeff Keppinger could settle things at shortstop for the 2012 season and beyond. His numbers at the plate and in the field reveal a much more complete player than the other three candidates.

Free-agent infielder Jeff Keppinger has signed a one-year contract with the Rays. Keppinger, 31, who plays shortstop as well as second and third base, split last season between the Giants and Astros, combining to bat ....

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ROGER MOONEY New Rays infielder Jeff Keppinger, who today signed a one-year, $1.525 million deal with incentives, spoke to the Rays writers this afternoon. Here is some of what he had to say: On which positions he can play:…

ROGER MOONEY The Rays signed infielder Jeff Keppinger today to a one-year, $1.525 million deal with incentives. The free agent split the 2011 season between the Astros and the Giants. He was non-tendered by the Giants after the season. He…

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This is going to be sort of a rambling, chain-of-thought post, not my highest grammatical achievement. Still, it's on my mind.I know people will point and laugh, I'm used to it, but here's what I keep coming back to - what might we expect from the Jays next year compared to what was successful in other cities last year? Comparisons are always tricky but still . . . consider...

ROGER MOONEY INF Russ Canzler was designated for assignment Friday to clear room on the 40-man roster for INF Jeff Keppinger. Canzler can resign with the Rays if he clears waivers. If so, he will be reassigned to Triple A…