Minor Moves

Matt Eddy at Baseball America reports the Rays have signed RHP Rayner Oliveros to a minor league deal. Transactions involving former Rays include C Hector Gimenez signing with the Pirates, SS Jorge Velandia signing with the Phillies, and RHP Jason Standridge signing with the Marlins.

Eddy says "Standridge, 30, returns to the States after two years spent pitching in Japan, for the Pacific League’s Fukuoka club. He did well in 2007, posting a 3.00 ERA in a swingman role, while striking out 35 and walking 23 in 54 innings. Limited to 13 innings last year, Standridge, the 31st overall pick in 1997, struggled to a 7.62 ERA."

The 23 year-old Oliveros pitched this winter for the Leones del Caracas in the Venezuelan Winter League. In 26.2 innings (14 G, 2 starts) he put up a 3.71 ERA, striking out 14 and walking 5. He last appeared in the minors in 2007 for the Royals A+ team in the Carolina League. In 70.1 innings (37 G, 1 start) he had a 4.22 ERA, striking out 53 and walking 17. He was originally signed by Kansas City as a non-drafted free agent from Venezuela on September 13, 2003. He should fill a bullpen spot somewhere in the minors next year.

Rays Index is reporting the PTBNL for Chad Bradford isn't a player after all: "We just spoke with the Rays front office and they confirmed that the Rays paid the O’s the standard $20K waiver claim fee for Bradford."