The Tampa Bay Rays have exercised Kyle Farnsworth's $3.3 million club option for 2012, but declined Kelly Shoppach's $3.2 million option, reports the Tampa Tribune. Instead, the club will pay Kelly Shoppach $300K for the buyout.
Farnsworth, 35, posted a 2.18 ERA, sub-1.00 WHIP with strong peripheral numbers; 0.8 HR/9, 1.9 BB/9, 8.0 K/9. The Rays signed him last winter, and he served as the team's new closer after losing essentially every bullpen piece they had the year prior. Farnsworth will come back in 2012 as the team's closer.
On the other hand, Kelly Shoppach, split time with John Jaso for playing time behind the plate. Shoppach hit an abysmal .176/.268/ .339 with 11 homers in 253 plate appearances. As bad as Shoppach hit, he found some success against southpaws, hitting .241/.344/.444 in 125 plate appearances. Shoppach should be able to find a role as a backup catcher somewhere. He can get lefties (as mentioned above) and gunned down 41% of runners stealing.