Percival officially signs with Rays

Percival officially signs with Rays
Bullpen solidified after veteran righty inks two-year deal
By Anthony DiComo / MLB.com

The Rays officially signed closer Troy Percival to a two-year contract worth $8 million on Friday morning, taking a big first step toward their bullpen makeover.

Percival, 38, could make up to $12 million based on a series of incentive clauses.

By signing Percival, the Rays now have a closer with 324 career saves, good for 12th on the all-time list. Percival made a comeback with the Cardinals last season after missing nearly two full seasons with a right forearm injury -- and officially retiring and signing a coaching contract in the interim -- and has now parlayed that comeback into a long-term deal.

With the Cardinals, Percival finished 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA, even starting his first Major League game after 638 career relief appearances.

The move should knock Al Reyes back into a setup role, after he earned 26 saves with the Rays last season. It should also improve a bullpen that finished last in the Majors with a 6.16 ERA last season, and that was second in the American League with 34 losses in relief.

The signing is Tampa Bay's first big free-agent splash, and the team's second big move in a week. On Wednesday, the Rays dealt top prospect Delmon Young and two other players to the Twins for starter Matt Garza, shortstop Jason Bartlett and Minor League reliever Eduardo Morlan.