Rays resign Kapler

The Tampa Bay Rays have resigned right-handed-hitting outfielder Gabe Kapler to
a one-year, $1,050,000 contract.

Here is the rest of the Rays release:

Kapler, 34, appeared in 99 games at all three outfield positions for the Rays in 2009. He hit .239 (49-for-205) with eight home runs, 32 RBI, 15 doubles and five stolen bases. Against left-handed pitching, he hit .276 (40-for-145) with all eight home runs, 14 doubles, a .379 on-base pct., and more walks (26) than strikeouts (23).

Over the last two seasons (2008-09), he hit .304 (69-for-227) against left-handers with a .577 slugging pct., 11th best in the majors over that span.

Kapler has played parts of 11 major league seasons with the Detroit Tigers (1998-99), Texas Rangers (2000-02), Colorado Rockies (2002-03), Boston Red Sox (2004-06), Milwaukee Brewers (2008) and Rays (2009). He initially signed with the Rays as a free agent on January 12, 2009. He retired briefly from playing in 2007 to manage the Class-A Greenville Drive in the Red Sox organization.

Kapler's role will remain the same this season, though he will likely share time in right field with Matt Joyce.

Joyce, acquired from the Tigers in the trade for Edwin Jackson in December 2008, is expected to compete for a job on the major league roster in spring training.