The St. Petersburg Times' Marc Topkin writes that the Rays are planning a closer-by-committee this season.

Like any other team, the Rays would love for someone to emerge and take a firm grip of the job, but there's simply not one standout candidate at the moment. Kyle Farnsworth is probably the best bet, but, as we all know, he's had his share of ups and downs during his career. Jake McGee, Joel Peralta and possibly the newly signed Juan Cruz are options, as well. We like the 24-year-old McGee to eventually take hold of the gig at some point.

Kyle Farnsworth can earn an additional $300,000 in 2011 based on games finished.

A sign that he might be the favorite to work the ninth inning? Perhaps, but even before this news, Farnsworth was likely the best bet for saves over Joel Peralta and Jake McGee. We certainly like McGee's potential more in the role, but teams rarely entrust the ninth inning to players with such little experience. We can't rule out the Rays acquiring another reliever before the season starts.

Rays signed RHP Kyle Farnsworth to a one-year, $3.25 million contract with an option for 2012.

The deal was announced a few days ago but has now become official. The right-hander will have the opportunity to make $6 million over the length of the contract. The 35-year-old Farnsworth posted a 3.34 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 8.5 K/9 rate this past season. He'll pitch in the late innings for the Rays, possibly even garnering some save opportunities.

According to Buster Olney of ESPN.com, the Rays have signed Kyle Farnsworth to a one-year, $3.25 million contract with an option for 2012.

This confirms the initial report by DRaysBay. Acording to Olney, he could earn as much as $6 million over the length of the contract. Farnsworth, who turns 35 in April, has actually been a pretty useful pitcher over the past two seasons, posting a 3.79 ERA and 103/33 K/BB ratio over 102 innings. This is more money than we would have ever expected, but we wouldn't be surprised if he thrived with Tampa Bay.

Braves declined RHP Kyle Farnsworth's $5.25 million option for 2011.

A simple decision made easier by the 5.40 ERA he posted after coming over from the Royals at the trade deadline. The Braves will hand him $250,000 on the way out the door.

The Braves are expected to decline reliever Kyle Farnsworth's $5.25 million club option for the 2011 season.

As they should. Farnsworth, 34, posted a nice-looking 3.34 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 64 2/3 innings for the Braves this season, but paying a setup man more than $5 million makes little sense. Atlanta may try to re-up with him at a lesser salary. Otherwise he'll be a fairly valuable free agent.

The Royals have been talking to teams about Kyle Farnsworth, Rick Ankiel and Willie Bloomquist, according to FOX Sports' Jon Morosi.

You can bet they're still begging someone to take Jose Guillen off their hands, as well. Morosi says that there is "mild" interest in Bloomquist. Farnsworth is having a nice season and should attract some attention, while Ankiel has hit well since returning from the disabled list.

Kyle Farnsworth returned to action on Thursday July 29.

Buster Olney of ESPN.com hears that other teams are sure that the Royals intend to trade Kyle Farnsworth in order to take advantage of a weak market for relievers.

Farnsworth, who is in the final year of a two-year, $4.5 million contract, has a surprising 2.41 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over 33 appearances this season. If they are lucky, they may be able to get someone to pay for the $500,000 buyout on his $5.25 million club option for next season. We're not banking on it.

Kyle Farnsworth picked up a win in relief after pitching a scoreless inning as the Royals beat the Mariners 6-4 on Monday.

Farnsworth pitched a scoreless ninth before the Royals scored twice in the top of the 10th. Joakim Soria took over from there and earned his 23rd save. Farnsworth has a 2.04 ERA in 35 1/3 innings. He's picked up just four holds, as he's still appeared in a lot of low-leverage situations, but he hasn't allowed more than one run in any of his 28 appearances this season.

The Red Sox could be interested in adding Kyle Farnsworth to bolster their bullpen.

As we all know, The Farns can be hit or miss (more often miss), but he's having a great year in Kansas City, and as one National League scout put it: "his stuff hasn't slipped at all." We'd be wary of him succeeding in a place like Boston, though.

The Royals revealed after Friday's game that Kyle Farnsworth was forced to leave with shoulder tightness.

Farnsworth retired the only batter he faced to end the seventh inning and then was replaced by Juan Cruz to start the eighth. "He felt some tightness, and I'm glad he did what he did," manager Trey Hillman said. "He wanted to pitch that next inning, but he knew there was enough tightness there not to force the issue." If Farnsworth is no better Saturday, he could go on the DL to make room for Gil Meche on Sunday.