Report: Rays working to acquire Bourjos from White Sox

The Tampa Bay Rays appear keen to improve their outfield depth as Opening Day nears, and the club is said to be working on a deal to acquire Peter Bourjos from the Chicago White Sox, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

Bourjos, who turns 30 on Friday, signed a minor-league deal with the White Sox in January that included an invite to big-league camp, and has hit .313 with an .861 OPS through 19 Cactus League games.

With newly signed Colby Rasmus poised to open the season on the disabled list, Bourjos could begin the campaign as the Rays' fourth outfielder, allowing the club to option Mallex Smith to the minors, where he can play everyday, while also giving manager Kevin Cash a right-handed complement to left fielder Corey Dickerson and center fielder Kevin Kiermaier.

Last year, Bourjos appeared in 123 games with the Philadelphia Phillies, managing 0.4 WAR while hitting .251/.292/.389 with five homers and one defensive run saved. Lauded for his defensive ability, Bourjos has accrued more defensive runs saved (36) since his 2010 debut than all but 22 outfielders.