Brad Hawpe will go to Single-A for now after signing minor league deal with Rays

Brad Hawpe’s deal with the Rays is official. He signs a minor-league contract after being released by the Rockies earlier this month and will report to Single-A for now. Hawpe hasn’t played since August 18, so the Rays will give him some at-bats in the minors and then likely call him up before rosters expand Wednesday, making him eligible for the postseason roster. Hawpe’s performance in Colorado was sub par for his standards this year, but .255/.343/.432 is still reasonable production and he posted an OPS above .875 in each of the previous four seasons. He’s also a career .274/.369/.470 hitter with an average of 24 homers per 550 at-bats away from Coors Field, so as a part-time designated hitter who can give the Rays another solid left-handed bat against right-handed pitching Hawpe is a very worthwhile pickup Plus, because the Rockies are footing the bill for his $7.5 million salary and $500,000 buyout for 2011 the Rays are on the hook for merely a prorated share of the minimum salary.