The Tampa Bay Rays are close to signing infielder Jeff Keppinger, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. This follows the rumors from Monday (via Jerry Crasnick) that the club was interested in acquiring him for infield utility purposes.
Keppinger, 31, is a career .281 hitter and the Rays would make his 8th club. As noted, he's a utility infielder but spent all 93 games in 2011 at 2B.
- Twitter / @TBTimes_Rays - "Rays closing in on a major-league deal with INF Jeff Keppinger, likely to be finalized by end of the week."
The Tampa Bay Rays are reportedly interested in infielder Jeff Keppinger, according to Jerry Crasnick via twitter. Crasnick adds that Keppinger, 31, would give the Rays additional depth in the middle infield behind Sean Rodriguez, Ben Zobrist, and Evan Longoria.