NEW YORK -- First the Tampa Bay Rays acquired Logan Morrison in a trade in early November. Then they signed Steve Pearce as a free agent nearly three months later to platoon with Morrison at first base. And that meant James Loney's days with the Rays were numbered.
After unsuccessfully trying to trade Loney, the Rays ate the $8 million owed and released him on the eve of the season.
Loney, 32, latched on with the El Paso Chihuahuas, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres.