Any ideas on who will be the DH?

What about Johnny Damon? Can sub in OF from time to time and prep him to be next hitting coach.

Don't know if he will be but he fits the description as a Rays platoon-OF/DH. Scott Hairston.

He crushes lefties (over .800 OPS), 32 years old, inexpensive and probably would prefer the Rays rather than the Mets. He's looking for a two year contract and his last paycheck was $1.1 mil.

How about Raul Ibanez? Veteran guy, play a little outfield maybe little 1b.

Swisher is becoming a real possibility. I have not heard anything. However, we need a bat and Swisher comes through with a lot of big hits (big HRs).

The Bankees have abandoned Swisher due to luxury cap. I think Swisher stays in the AL East and wants to play for the closest contender. He would have to settle for a 2 year deal though.

And also for a lot less than the $10-12 million per year he's wanting! Last thing I want to see on the Rays is an ex Yankee. Sorry, but my hatred for anything Yankee is a very personal one that will never change!

Which brings me to my next suggestion...

Andruw Jones (given he does not sign in Japan). With everyday play he may still have some baseball still left in him and the pricetag is cheap.This is a guy who was on the fast track to the HOF before he lost the treadmill.

Or maybe he was just using PEDs like all the others in his era of greatness.

Ex Yankee..

I was all for getting Jones last off season and felt he could handle the DH spot, but he used up wjhat was left in the tank with the Yankees.........Doubt there is anything left now and the fact that he is an ex Yankees is a enough of a turn off for me!

and casey,

Ok, the ex yankee thing:

Say in a few years, derek jeter ( number two) parts ways with the yankees==== yes it can happen==== and he still got a few good years left. And he wants to play for the rays =====yes it can happen==== cause he lives here.

Still no???

even for Derek Jeter ( number two)

Hairston could be a good idea but there are 4-5 teams after him. He wants 9-10 M for two years, about the same as Jonny Gomes got. I like the right-handed bat, but... I don't see it happening for the Rays.

Raul Ibanez will turn 41 next year but he still appears to have gas in the tank and would come relatively cheap in a one year deal. Mariners are trying to get him back though.

Nick Swisher turned down the Yankees 13.3 M qualifying offer. He won't be coming to the Rays, period.

Andruw Jones is going to Japan to play for the Rakuten Golden Eagles for 3.5 M. No way I would give him anything close to that.

I like Cody Ross but he wants a 3 year 25M deal. Not!

Right now I think the Rays payroll should be coming in at around 50M. They might be looking to pick up a bullpen guy or two. I wish they'd resign JP Howell but the Rays probably can't match what the Nats or other teams will offer JP.

Rays FO has mentioned the fact that the Rays made the playoffs in 2008 and 2011 with payrolls under 43M, and missed in 2009 and 2012 with payrolls of 63M+.

Meaning I think they might stand pat on the deals they've made and hold those cards. If Luke Scott wants to come back in the 2M range then I think he will be back. Brandon Guyer another possibility to make the team and provide some RH AB's for the DH position. Also a possibility the Rays start out with 3 catchers, Molina, Lobaton and Gimenez. Gimenez showed some promise last year as a right-handed bat and could be used as DH. Ben Francisco another right-handed bat still out there and still a possibility.

Wish I had more exciting options but right now this is how I see it.

I read Andruw Jones signed in Japan. He's out of the equation.

I'd like to see Pena be the left handed DH against righty pitchers. His BA, OBP, and slugging % are better against righties. Perhaps, most important, his Ks are a much less percentage of ABs against righty pitchers. Pena's value is falling as he gets older. But, he's a solid power hitter against righties w/ a better than average OBP. Maybe the Rays could sign him for 2 or 3M$.

Here is an option. Bring back Dan Johnson....he is able to play 1st, 3rd, LF, RF and DH. He had a great year finally not being injured and if the White Sox used him towards the end of the year the White Sox would have been in the playoffs and not Detroit. The White Sox management even admitted that. Not only that he would come less then $2 million for the year. It is an option.

Forget about playing! Jeter ... and a couple of pals ... might BUY the team!

I'll vote for Gimenez! The guy is going to develop into a pretty good hitter!

I've been a Dan Johnson fan since he entered the minors ... and having an experienced backup at first would be a B-I-G plus! He's got it in him. It's just a question if he can finally get it out!

If Scott returns, and he most likely will (tkrng read my paragraph on Scott in the Wil Myers thread), the Rays need a RH DH....If Guyer shows anything he might be the answer, but too early to say......All the other options are either too expensive, too old or not worth their asking price.

For me ... no Molina ... no Roberts ... no Howell ... no Scott.

LOL, well you may have to put up with all four, but don't worry I'll have the crow ready for you, especially if Scott comes back.