James Loney says his days with Tampa Bay Rays is over

Since the beginning of spring training, Tampa Bay Rays first baseman James Loney has heard rumors he would not be with the team when the season began.

That hearsay turned real Wednesday when Loney said he was told by Rays manager Kevin Cash and president of baseball operations Matt Silverman that he would not be on the opening day roster.

It wasn't clear if the Rays were planning to release him or are hoping to land a trade that would give them something in return for Loney, who was the team's best fielding first baseman.

"At the end of the day it's a business. Those aren't my decisions. I have nothing to do with that," Loney told the media.

After the Rays acquired Logan Morrison and Steve Pearce to share the first base job during the off-season, it seemed a matter of time before Loney was gone. The team also acquired Corey Dickerson, who could be used in the DH role or in the field occasionally.

Loney hit for a team-high .291 batting average during this three years with the Rays, but lacked the power teams consider a necessity for a first baseman.

If the Rays release Loney, they will be required to pay him his full $8 million salary he is owed from the $21 million deal he originally signed.

Despite the organization's reputation for being frugal, the franchise is apparently prepared to eat Loney's salary. It has been reported that the Pirates, White Sox and Astros might are possible landing spots for the 31-year-old.

The move is an example of how the Rays are concentrating on improving their offense after last year when they were next to last in the American League in runs scored. Last season Morrison had 17 homers for Seattle and Pearce clubbed 15 out of the park in only 294 at-bats for Baltimore. Loney had four homers and has hit 99 in his 10 year major league career.

The Rays also released catcher Rene Rivera, which means Hank Conger will assume the backup role for that position. Rivera hit 14 homers, but struggled offensively with a .178 batting average.

Keeping Conger could create some anxiety. Last season 42 of 43 runners successfully stole against him when he played for Houston.

The Rays say they are not worried because of adjustments he made to his technique and a prevailing opinion that pitchers are more responsible for base stealing than catchers.

Right handed pitcher David Carpenter was released while Richie Schaffer and pitcher Matt Andriese were optioned to Triple A Durham.

This story was originally published March 31, 2016 at 12:30 AM with the headline "James Loney says his days with Tampa Bay Rays is over ."