Tampa Bay Rays Re-Sign J.P. Howell

The J.P. Howell trade is one of Andrew Friedman’s finest. Howell flushed out as a starting pitcher (although I’m not sure he couldn’t have made it) and immediately became one of the league’s best relievers in the vein of Scott Downs – a lefty with stuff capable of retiring batters of both hands. Howell is also one of the most enjoyable players from a stylistic viewpoint. No pitcher falls off the mound quick as gracefully as Howell; and Rafael Soriano tried his hardest, but Howell’s emphatic hugs after closing out a game have no match.

Update: It’s a big league deal if the official roster is to be believed.