Rays Update: Scott Deal Official; Damon Likely Out; Still Looking for Bats

The rumored deal between the Tampa Bay Rays and Luke Scott is now official, confirmed by Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun and Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Scott will earn $5 million in 2012 and has a $6 million option for 2013 with a $1 million buyout, according to Topkin.

The deal likely means Johnny Damon is out, but Rays GM Andrew Friedman says they're still looking for additional bats -- and that doesn't necessarily mean first base:

• Twitter / @TBTimes_Rays - "Scott gets $5M in 2012 from #Rays, has a $6M option for '13 or a $1M buyout"
• Twitter / @TBTimes_Rays - "Rays Friedman says they have "a long list" of hitters they're looking at, and addition does not necessarily have to be a 1B."

• Twitter / @TBTimes_Rays - Rays Friedman says still looking at trades + FAs, acknowledges payroll is "probably beyond what we kind of thought we'd be."
• Scott Signing Means Damon Won't Be Back - Marc Topkin | Tampa Bay Times
  "Johnny Damon greatly enjoyed his experience playing for the Rays last season and was very much hoping to come back. But when the Rays struck a deal Wednesday to bring in Luke Scott as their primary DH, it meant Damon wasn't going to get to return, and that didn't go over well."
• Next bat doesn’t have to be a first baseman - Roger Mooney
  "Friedman said he is not sure if that bat comes out of the free agent pool or through a trade. He added $5 million to the payroll today with the addition of Scott, but Friedman said the payroll is not an issue."
• Luke Scott agrees to deal with Rays - baltimoresun.com
  "The Rays, the closest big league team to Scott’s Florida home, were looking for power and had an opening at designated hitter with last year’s primary DH, Johnny Damon, likely going elsewhere as a free agent. Scott, who is in the midst of his intense offseason workout regimen, expects to be ready by spring training at the plate and in the outfield, assuming his throwing shoulder has fully recovered."