The Rays will re-sign designated hitter Luke Scott, the Tampa Bay Times reported Thursday. Terms of the deal were not available, but seeing as the Rays already declined a $6-million option and paid a $1-million buyout, the contract is likely a one-year deal worth less than $5 million.
Scott, 34, played 96 games for the Rays last year and hit .229/.289/.439 (101 OPS+). He managed 14 home runs despite injuries to his back and oblique that kept him on and off the field.
Scott fills the Rays hole at designated hitter -- Sam Fuld looked like the primary DH before this move -- and more likely the Rays would have rotated position players in and out of the spot for rest purposes. It isn't clear if the Rays are done with the position. The left-handed hitting Scott managed just a .475 OPS against southpaws in 2012 and has a .742 career mark (103 points below his mark against righties.) As such, the Rays could pursue a right-handed hitting platoon partner to fill out the roster.
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