Friedman still trying to add some pieces

The Rays took a good look at free agent Russell Branyan and reportedly made an offer, but the lure of more playing time in Cleveland probably will land the former Rays player in an Indians uniform.

The Rays also kicked the tires on Johnny Damon.

It's all part of Andrew Friedman's daily quest to make the Rays as competitive as possible.

Still, the Rays' executive vice president of baseball operations said Thursday that he is happy with the 57 players he has in camp, calling it "the most talented collection of players we've ever had."

Even better than the 2008 team that went to the World Series.

But, Friedman was quick to add: "I think in '09 we had a better team than we did in '08."

It didn't translate into another postseason appearance, which Friedman attributed to the "fine line between winning and losing."

Which is why the Rays spent $7.25 million on a closer (Rafael Soriano) and traded for another catcher with major-league experience (Kelly Shoppach) to pair with Dioner Navarro.

It's also why Friedman would seriously consider bringing back Branyan, a left-hander who hit 31 home runs and drove in 76 runs in 116 games last season. But Branyan probably won't want to follow a career year by sharing time as a designated hitter.

This year is not the same as '09

They are not the defending American League champs, which automatically makes this camp different from 2009.

"Last year I was trying to tone things down a little bit and not have us get kind of swelled about it," Manager Joe Maddon said. "Coming into this season it's getting ourselves on our feet and understanding that we definitely can make it back to the playoffs this year. Now, how we're going to do that is the big thing."

Go get 'em, boys

All 27 pitchers in camp will throw today during the first workout of the spring. Beginning Saturday, they will be divided into two groups and throw every other day.

Today's workout begins at 10 a.m. Saturday's workout begins at 9 a.m., so the players can get to Tropicana Field for Fan Fest. The rest of the workouts begin at 9:30 a.m.

Roger Mooney

Longo scheduled to sign at noon

Evan Longoria will sign from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday during Fan Fest. Carlos Pena highlights those signing from 1-2 p.m., and Jason Bartlett signs from 2-3. Carl Crawford and Ben Zobrist will not attend.

Here is the autograph schedule:

Noon-1 p.m.: Evan Longoria, Desmond Jennings, B.J. Upton, Tim Beckham, Matt Joyce, Dan Johnson, Ryan Shealy

1-2: Joe Dillon, Carlos Pena, Wade Davis, Dale Thayer, Jake McGee, Chris Richard, Gabe Kapler, Andy Sonnanstine, Winston Abreu, Reid Brignac

2-3: Dioner Navarro, Jason Bartlett, David Price, Alvin Colina, James Shields, Jose Lobaton, Alexandar Torres, R.J. Swindle

3-4: Rafael Soriano, Jeff Bennett, Jeremy Hellickson, Kelly Shoppach, Craig Albernaz, Grant Balfour, Heath Phillips, Randy Choate, Nevin Ashley, Heath Rollins, John Jaso

4-5: Joe Maddon, Jim Hickey, Tom Foley, Joe Bateman, Richard De Los Santos, Dave Martinez, Stan Boroski, George Hendrick, Jason Cromer, Joaquin Benoit, Derek Shelton, Bobby Ramos, Don Zimmer