Rays: Sonnanstine non-tenderered, Howell gets contract

Huh? I’m still waiting on Dan Pleasesac’s promised Cy Youngy-breakout season from Sonnanstine.

On Howell: Friedman noted how much a grind the season seemed to be on Howell physically and mentally coming off major shoulder surgery and seemed confident 2012 will be better. “We’re big believers in who J.P. is and what he’s done to put himself in a position to have a good 2012 season. J.P. is one of those guys you bet on. And we’re optimistic he’ll be part of a hopefully well-above average bullpen.’’ He said they hope Howell - a free spirit as it is - “takes this winter to relax and clear his mind and come into spring free and clear and get back to strutting off the mound.’‘

Howell made $1.1-million last season, and isn’t going to be in line for much of a raise, so the Rays could end up with a bargain. On the other hand, Howell got paid $1.8-million for the 2010 season he missed after the surgery.

On Sonnanstine: Friedman made a point of acknowleding how large a role Sonnanstine played in their success over the last four seasons, saying “we’ve all been through so much together.’‘’ But with the rotation deep and the bullpen taking shape, Friedman said there was no longer “an optimal fit” for Sonnanstine.  “Looking back we thank him for everything he did, looking forward we felt like there would be better opportunities for him elsewhere.’‘

Sonnanstine made $912,500 last season and also would have likely gotten a small raise, so the Rays can rellocate that money elsewhere.