James Loney re-signed with the Tampa Bay Rays last month, after drawing interest from several teams, including the Pittsburgh Pirates. Loney ended up signing a three year, $21 M deal to remain in Tampa. According to Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune (h/t Bucs Dugout), Loney turned down similar offers from the Pirates, Milwaukee Brewers, and Houston Astros.
#Rays Loney said MIL, PIT, HOU, TB made similiar offers. "I felt this was going to be the best option and this is where I wanted to be."
— Roger Mooney (@RogerMooney50) January 3, 2014
My guess at the time Loney signed was that if the Pirates were offering the same amount, Loney would probably opt to remain in Tampa. He would play everyday in Tampa, as opposed to being a platoon player in Pittsburgh. The Pirates now have an advantage of being a contender, but the Rays have the same advantage and have had that for longer. Plus, if all else is equal, I’d imagine he’d want to stay in a place where he put up the best season of his career.
