ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) Free agent outfielder Colby Rasmus and the Tampa Bay Rays have finalized a $5 million, one-year contract.
Ramus can earn an additional $2 million in performance bonuses, the Rays said Monday.
The 30-year-old has a .241 career average with St. Louis (2009-11), Toronto (2011-14) and Houston (2015-16). He hit .206 with 15 homers and 54 RBIs in 107 games last year, reaching 15 homers for the fifth straight season, but his production dropped from a .238 average with 25 homers and 61 RBIs in 2015.
To open room on the 40-man roster, the Rays released outfielder Jason Coats. Claimed off waivers from the Chicago White Sox on Jan. 11, the 26-year-old injured his right elbow throwing the following day and needs Tommy John surgery.
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