According to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times, the Rays are expected to sign Felipe Lopez to a minor league contract "in the next couple of days."
Very interesting. The Red Sox would have received a supplemental first-round pick had Lopez signed a major league deal, so this works out pretty well for the division-rival Rays. Of course, the Red Sox could always go after the pick should he make the team's Opening Day roster. The 30-year-old Lopez batted .233/.311/.345 with eight homers, 37 RBI and eight stolen bases between the Cardinals and Red Sox last season.