Update: Look's like we have a few different scenarios floating around. One would be the Rays trading Hammel to the Rockies for Rodriguez after Sunday's minor league game in Port Charlotte. Another would see the Rays DFA Hammel giving the Rockies a few extra days to juggle their roster. It's my understanding the Rockies would like to have Franklin Morales start Wednesday's game and send him down to Triple-A until a fifth starter is needed later on in April. The Rockies would then carry eight relievers. In any event, it looks like a deal will get done. This mean Jeff Niemann will be the Rays fifth starter and Lance Cormier will claim the last spot in the bullpen.~Tommy
Hammel is out of options, which is why Tampa Bay is looking to trade him. The Rays would lose him on a waiver claim if they tried to send him to the minor leagues. Tampa Bay would receive right-handed pitching prospect Aneury Rodriguez from the Rockies if details can be worked out, according to a Tampa Bay source.
That comes way of Tracy Ringolsby. Looks like the deal might not go through until tomorrow's start, assuming Hammel's arm doesn't explode.