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Tampa Bay In Market For Left-Handed Hitter

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 4, 2007

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Finding a left-handed hitter capable of playing the outfield and serving as a designated hitter will be the Rays' primary focus at the winter meetings, and the team continued exploring its various alternatives Monday.

That position moved to the top of the team's priority list after Delmon Young was traded to Minnesota last week, leaving the righty-swinging Rocco Baldelli and Jonny Gomes at right field and DH.

Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said it's "too early to say" whether that need will likely be met through free agency or a trade, but "we've narrowed down on a couple free agents and we've narrowed down a couple trade targets."

Among the free agents, the most likely candidates appear to include Geoff Jenkins, Darin Erstad and Brad Wilkerson. ESPN.com reported the Rays met with Jenkins' agent Monday and there has been considerable buzz around the other two names. As for trade possibilities, the Astros' Luke Scott reportedly is likely to be moved and might be a good fit.

"We threw our hat in the ring with a bunch of guys when the free-agent period started, knowing it was a possibility that we'd trade Delmon," said Friedman. "We had had some conversations; after the Delmon trade we accelerated some conversations. We had a couple meetings today and we'll have more meetings."

In addition to the relief help they continue to seek, the Rays also are on the lookout for a super-utility player capable of playing some infield and outfield. Cincinnati's Ryan Freel, who can play second, third and all three outfield positions, is thought to be available and would fit those criteria.

SUBTRACT ANOTHER: The Pirates claimed IF Josh Wilson off waivers Monday, clearing another spot on the Rays' 40-man roster.

The Rays chose to keep Ben Zobrist rather than Wilson as a backup middle infielder in part because Zobrist is a switch-hitter and Wilson was out of minor-league options.

Tampa Bay now has two open spots on its 40-man, opening up the possibility the Rays will take at least one player in Thursday's Rule 5 draft, in which they have the first pick.

NOTEWORTHY: The Yankees released their 2008 spring training schedule Monday. It includes a Feb. 29 game against USF at Legends Field and one final visit to Al Lang Field on March 12. ... The Rays have signed SS Andy Cannizaro to a minor-league deal with an invitation to big-league spring training. Cannizaro, who turns 29 later this month, had a brief stint in the majors with the Yankees in 2006. He spent most of 2007 in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he hit .295 and had a .378 on-base percentage in 52 games. ...The Marlins signed St. Petersburg native and former Rays RHP Doug Waechter to a minor-league deal. ... LHP David Price, the top overall pick by the Rays in this year's draft, will be recognized as the 2007 College Player of the Year by Baseball America today at the magazine's annual awards gala.

Marc Lancaster

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