Buoyant Pena Sets The Mood

ST. PETERSBURG - Once Carlos Pena had hugged just about everyone he saw Wednesday morning, he went back for handshakes, fist bumps and back slaps throughout the day.

Pena being the happiest guy on the field didn't exactly qualify as news, but his buoyant mood set the tone for the Rays' first day of full-squad workouts at the Naimoli Complex.

"It was great to see all my teammates and I was anxious to," Pena said. "You talk to them over the phone, but it's totally different when you actually see them face to face and you get to interact with them and work out with them. It's a great thing."

Any number of adjectives could be used to describe Pena's 2007 season, which saw him morph from nonroster invitee to Comeback Player of the Year as he pounded out 46 home runs and 121 RBIs. That output and the desire he expressed to stay in Tampa Bay for the long term led to a three-year, $24.125 million contract for the first baseman.

Wednesday was his first day working out with the rest of his teammates and the 29-year-old said he plans to build on his success.

"Last year was a magical year, no doubt about it," he said. "A year that I will have as a source of energy, a source of confidence, and it definitely was a lot of fun. This year there's a blank canvas in front of me and I intend to paint a beautiful picture."

BRING IT ON: The other new arrival in camp, Jonny Gomes, took a harder-edged approach to the upcoming campaign than Pena.

Though his expected participation in Manager Joe Maddon's right field/DH "triangle" with Rocco Baldelli and Cliff Floyd should guarantee Gomes far more playing time than last season, the 27-year-old would rather not sit out at all.

"I'll tell you what - I'm coming into camp ready to play every day on my end," said Gomes. "Whether it's to DH or to play the outfield every day, I'm definitely physically and mentally ready to play every day."

NOTEWORTHY: Akinori Iwamura's first full day at second base received good reviews, though he noted bunt plays were more difficult to cover from there than they are as a third baseman. ... Juan Salas, Joel Guzman and Willy Aybar remained in the Dominican Republic with visa troubles. It appears Salas and Guzman may be closer to a resolution than Aybar. ... Rays president Matt Silverman confirmed the team has been working with Cal Ripken Jr.'s Ripken Baseball to buy Tampa Bay's Vero Beach affiliate in the Florida State League and move it to Port Charlotte. Ripken already owns minor-league teams in Aberdeen, Md., and Augusta, Ga. ... Rays pitchers will throw live batting practice for the first time today.

Marc Lancaster