Moore will get long look during spring

Given his dominance at Triple-A and his success during his limited time at the major-league level, the question now facing the Rays is what to do with LHP Matt Moore next season.

"It's definitely going to be something that we're going to spend a lot of time on this winter," VP of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. "We didn't expect or hoped to have the conversation as early as we're going to have it, so we haven't spent a lot of time on it. We had some questions on the polish when we brought him up, but seeing what he did answered a lot of those questions."

Moore won the Rays' lone playoff game and held the Rangers to one run in 10 innings over two appearances in the American League division series. His 4971/3 innings over five minor-league seasons is not quite the number the Rays require before bringing a pitcher up to the major leagues on a full-time basis, but Moore is unique.

Friedman compared Moore's success to that of RHP Jeremy Hellickson, who became the first pitcher in the modern era to pitch at least six innings and allow three hits or fewer in his first three major-league starts in August 2010.

Manager Joe Maddon said the big concern with a young pitcher is whether he can handle the mental and emotional sides of working at the major-league level.

"I think he's got that," Maddon said. "We'll figure it out in the spring, but he definitely has all the necessary equipment to be successful here."

Looking for relief

While Friedman is searching for bullpen help, the need isn't even close to that of last winter, when he had to restock a bullpen.

"I'll get a lot more sleep this offseason. That was a daunting task," Friedman said. "Of everything that happened last offseason, that was by far the thing that kept us up the most, consumed our thoughts the most."

With closer Kyle Farnsworth, RHP Joel Peralta, RHP Juan Cruz, LHP Jake McGee and RHP Brandon Gomes, the Rays feel they have the base for an above-average bullpen. LHP Cesar Ramos should figure into that mix, as well as LHP J.P. Howell. But Friedman said he wants to add at least one more arm, possibly two.

"(We can) be a little more selective with the skill set that will fit in with this group as opposed to casting a net as wide as we did (last winter). We have a lot of good guys returning that we're excited about," Friedman said.

Maddon's status

Maddon is entering the final year of his contract. He said he's not concerned about an extension, and Friedman said Maddon will be extended, but neither put a timetable on when the deal would be announced.

"I would expect and assume that we're going to work together for a long time," Friedman said.

Said Maddon, "I don't want to go anywhere else. I love it here. I've been given an opportunity here to do what I'm doing without the constraints, in a sense. It's a very free environment to work within, and I need that and I appreciate that."

Noteworthy

The White Sox never contacted the Rays about interviewing bench coach Dave Martinez, and for good reason. They hired Robin Ventura on Thursday. ... If Martinez were to leave, Maddon said the next bench coach would likely come from within the organization. … Friedman said he expects RHP Alex Cobb and Farnsworth to be healthy by the start of spring training. … Maddon said Reid Brignac is still in the mix at shortstop. … The Rays could decline the option on C Kelly Shoppach but bring him back at a lower salary.

Roger Mooney