Yesterday we wondered why there were not more rumors involving the Rays and the Cardinals. Now Joel Sherman of the New York Post is reporting that the Rays are one of five teams that have shown interest in Rick Ankiel.

Ankiel is arbitration-eligible and will be a free agent following the 2009 season. He made $900K in 2008 and Sherman speculates that he will make about $3 million in 2009. Signing Ankiel to a long-term deal is considered unlikely as he is represented by Scott Boras and Boras prefers players wait until free agency.

The other four teams reportedly interested are the Yankees, Braves, Giants and one unnamed team. The Cardinals are said to be looking for starting pitching which means they will most likely demand Edwin Jackson or Andy Sonnanstine.

ANKIEL SHOWS UP ON BOMBERS' RADAR [New York Post]

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA...

• We mentioned last week that David Price was one of the four nominees for ESPN the Magazine's "Next" honor. Now you can vote for the winner of the top honor and the cover of the annual "Next" issue. [ESPN]
• John Romano reflects on Evan Longoria's Rookie of the Year season and ponders what is yet to come. [St. Pete Times]
  
• Minor League Ball has their first list of the Rays' top 20 prospects...Once we get a couple more of these we will start our 2009 Meta-Analysis of Rays Prospects. [Minor League Ball]
• 9=8 takes a look at some options for the Rays in right field for 2009. [9=8]
  
• We can now scratch Matt Holliday off of our 2009 wishlist. He has been traded to the A's. [SI.com]
• Would you trade Jeff Niemann and either Andy Sonnanstine or Edwin Jackson for Ryan Ludwick or Rick Ankiel? Ludwick seems like the obvious choice as a right-handed bat, but even though he is only arbitration-eligible this year for the first time, he will be 29 next season. [Baseball America]
  
• Sean McAdam previews the Rays' offseason for ESPN. [ESPN]