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Rays Sign Veteran OF Kapler To One-Year Deal

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By MARC LANCASTER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 12, 2009

ST. PETERSBURG - OK, now the Rays are really done with their offseason wheeling and dealing.

In signing Gabe Kapler, an outfielder experienced enough that he already has retired, spent a season managing in the minors and returned to hit .301 for a contending team last year, Tampa Bay believes it has added the final major piece to the group that will open spring training in just over a month.

Kapler agreed to a one-year contract worth $1 million Monday and became the Rays' top right-handed option in right field and primary backup to B.J. Upton in center.

"It's important for us to get off to a good start and we feel like in the event that B.J. isn't ready that we're in much better position with Gabe," said Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman. "It also adds to our depth in the event of injury."

Those are roles that could have been filled by Rocco Baldelli, but the Rays didn't have enough money available to match the potential incentive-based payout offered to him by the Red Sox. They also could have turned to Fernando Perez to handle both jobs, but they would rather have the 25-year-old start every day in Durham than see sporadic playing time in the majors.

Kapler, on the other hand, is accustomed to such duty. The 33-year-old was a valuable member of Boston's 2004 world championship team as a reserve and performed the same duties during Milwaukee's 90-win 2008 season before missing the playoffs because of a torn muscle in his throwing shoulder. He hit eight homers and posted a .498 slugging percentage in 229 at-bats for the Brewers – impressive numbers considering Kapler didn't play at all the previous season.

After making what he called "an impulsive, emotional decision" to retire following the 2006 season, Kapler spent 2007 managing Boston's Class A affiliate in Greenville, S.C. Though his team struggled to a 58-81 record, Kapler said he learned a lot from the experience – not the least of which was that he still had the desire to be on the field rather than in the dugout.

Still, he has a different perspective now. Long known as a physical fitness freak, Kapler said he is now more focused on sharpening the mental side of his game. He also is better suited to navigating a clubhouse filled mostly with younger players after a year of guiding 20-year-olds in Greenville.

"I'll tell you this: My number one goal at this point is to prove to my teammates that I am a great teammate," Kapler said. "That's one of my expectations right away, is to meet my teammates, earn their respect and then prove to Joe [Maddon] and Andrew what I'm capable of doing. I expect everything else to take care of itself from that point on.

"I always accept responsibility for my actions, and I want to prove my worth and then capitalize on any opportunity that presents itself. I would have it no other way."

Reporter Marc Lancaster can be reached at (813) 259-7227.

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