"Jeff Keppinger fits our club well," says Tampa Bay Rays' Andrew Friedman
The Tampa Bay Rays’ executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman is showing some great confidence on their signing of veteran infielder Jeff Keppinger.
Friedman recently gave an interview to a renowned sports journalist and told him many great points which will also come with an arrival of Keppinger’s talents in the Rays’ 40 man roster next season. Keppinger has signed a one year deal with the Rays worth $1.525 million including incentives and bonuses.
Friedman added, “Jeff is a good player who fits our club well, He is a tough out, especially against left-handers, and his contact skills bring a useful dimension to our roster. We also value his defensive versatility, which will allow him to make an impact in many different ways.”
According to Keppinger’s Major League stats, who played every position except pitcher and catcher during his six years in the big league, he is carrying a career .324 hitting average especially against left-handed pitchers. He is also a very spread out player, who strikeout-to-plate appearance ratio of 16.1 and considered one of the best record holders at infield position just behind Juan Pierre.
On his potential arrival in the Rays' 40-man roster, Keppinger also commented in the media on starting a new beginning in Tampa Bay, “I'm up for anything. I know there's a lot of talk, people telling me I'm limited at playing certain positions, but I don't feel that way, I go out and do the best that I can. If it's something I can help out the team, then it's something I look forward to doing.”
Keppinger, who is coming to the Rays franchise with a healthy career batting average of .281 along with 32 home-runs, 215 RBIs and .332 OBP, certainly possesses some extraordinary skills.
Having played with the New York Mets, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros and San Francisco Giants, Keppinger will bring a strong backup for the Rays’ dire bottom 20 man roster. His presence will also ensure some backup in the batting line-up where the Rays’ players have usually crumbled losing many games against lower rated opponents.
Tags: