Baseball Guru
12-09-2004, 05:10 PM
http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradentonherald/10372495.htm
Tampa Bay heading to Winter Meetings long on needs, short on cash
ROGER MOONEY
Herald Staff Writer
It should be no surprise to Tampa Bay Devil Rays' fans that Tino Martinez and John Halama turned down contract offers Tuesday and opted for free agency. It didn't surprise the Rays' front office.
"We knew there was a chance from the very start that they would not accept our proposals," general manager Chuck LaMar said.
With their first baseman and a left-handed pitcher who started and worked out of the bullpen not in the picture for 2005, LaMar will turn to Plan B when he gets to Anaheim this weekend for the annual Winter Meetings.
Or Plan C.
Or even Plan D.
"This time of year, we have a whole lot of contingency plans," LaMar said.
One plan included Martinez and Halama. The rest do not.
The Rays still need a third baseman, an outfielder to replace the injured Rocco Baldelli, a power bat for the middle of the lineup and some starting pitching if they can find a pitcher or two within their price range.
Among the free agents on the Rays' wish list are infielders Tony Batista, Joe Randa, Pokey Reese, Corey Koskie and Mark Grudzielanek and outfielders Jeromy Burnitz and Danny Bautista.
"I hope we're able to make a deal or two this weekend," LaMar said. "But if we don't, we'll leave here in position to do so next week. Over the next two weeks, you'll see some additions to this ball club."
Catcher Charles Johnson is available in a trade. Colorado is interested in picking up all but $1 million of Johnson's salary for next year, yet his contract calls for a $1 million bonus if he's traded. Who picks up that bill could be the trade breaker.
Working in the Rays favor this offseason is the versatility of Aubrey Huff, Jorge Cantu, Jose Cruz Jr., and Carl Crawford.
Huff can play first and third base, right field and is also productive at DH. That means the Rays are not limited to finding a third baseman. They can land a first baseman and move Huff to third.
Because Crawford and Cruz can both play center field, the Rays can fill Baldelli's spot in center with one of those two and sign a corner outfielder.
They'd like to sign a second baseman. If so, they can move Cantu to third.
"We have some moving parts, and that's a plus," LaMar said.
Martinez was offered a contract that was reported to be at least $2 million plus incentives. The Tampa native, though, is believed to be fielding offers from the New York Yankees.
FREE
AGENTS
• Tampa Bay's five free agents:
B. Fordyce, C
John Halama, P
Todd Ritchie, P
Rey Sanchez, Inf
Tampa Bay heading to Winter Meetings long on needs, short on cash
ROGER MOONEY
Herald Staff Writer
It should be no surprise to Tampa Bay Devil Rays' fans that Tino Martinez and John Halama turned down contract offers Tuesday and opted for free agency. It didn't surprise the Rays' front office.
"We knew there was a chance from the very start that they would not accept our proposals," general manager Chuck LaMar said.
With their first baseman and a left-handed pitcher who started and worked out of the bullpen not in the picture for 2005, LaMar will turn to Plan B when he gets to Anaheim this weekend for the annual Winter Meetings.
Or Plan C.
Or even Plan D.
"This time of year, we have a whole lot of contingency plans," LaMar said.
One plan included Martinez and Halama. The rest do not.
The Rays still need a third baseman, an outfielder to replace the injured Rocco Baldelli, a power bat for the middle of the lineup and some starting pitching if they can find a pitcher or two within their price range.
Among the free agents on the Rays' wish list are infielders Tony Batista, Joe Randa, Pokey Reese, Corey Koskie and Mark Grudzielanek and outfielders Jeromy Burnitz and Danny Bautista.
"I hope we're able to make a deal or two this weekend," LaMar said. "But if we don't, we'll leave here in position to do so next week. Over the next two weeks, you'll see some additions to this ball club."
Catcher Charles Johnson is available in a trade. Colorado is interested in picking up all but $1 million of Johnson's salary for next year, yet his contract calls for a $1 million bonus if he's traded. Who picks up that bill could be the trade breaker.
Working in the Rays favor this offseason is the versatility of Aubrey Huff, Jorge Cantu, Jose Cruz Jr., and Carl Crawford.
Huff can play first and third base, right field and is also productive at DH. That means the Rays are not limited to finding a third baseman. They can land a first baseman and move Huff to third.
Because Crawford and Cruz can both play center field, the Rays can fill Baldelli's spot in center with one of those two and sign a corner outfielder.
They'd like to sign a second baseman. If so, they can move Cantu to third.
"We have some moving parts, and that's a plus," LaMar said.
Martinez was offered a contract that was reported to be at least $2 million plus incentives. The Tampa native, though, is believed to be fielding offers from the New York Yankees.
FREE
AGENTS
• Tampa Bay's five free agents:
B. Fordyce, C
John Halama, P
Todd Ritchie, P
Rey Sanchez, Inf