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Rays Working To Sign OF Floyd

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By MARC LANCASTER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 13, 2007

Updated: 12/13/2007 12:16 am

ST. PETERSBURG - The Rays may be close to filling their need for a left-handed-hitting outfielder.

Tampa Bay is in serious discussions with free agent Cliff Floyd to fill that role, a person familiar with the talks confirmed Wednesday. Though negotiations are not quite to the final stages, a deal could be completed within the next couple of days.

Floyd, who turned 35 last week, likely would team with Jonny Gomes in a platoon to replace Delmon Young in right field. He also would get the occasional start at designated hitter, where Rocco Baldelli is expected to spend most of his time.

A veteran of 15 big-league seasons, Floyd hit .284 and posted a .373 on-base percentage in part-time duty for Lou Piniella's Cubs last year. He has had trouble staying healthy at times, dealing with a series of leg injuries over a number of seasons. His biggest season came with the Marlins in 2001, when he hit .317 and added 31 homers, 103 RBIs and 123 runs.

Floyd became a more likely option for the Rays when the Astros traded Luke Scott to Baltimore on Wednesday along with four other players for Miguel Tejada. The Rays had been interested in dealing for Scott but remained in talks with free agents such as Floyd all along.

RAYS ANNOUNCE SPRING SCHEDULE: The Rays will begin their spring training schedule on Feb. 29 in Sarasota against the Cincinnati Reds. The team's first home game will be March 1, against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Rays will play their final game at Progress Energy Park on March 28, against the Reds. The Rays will move their spring training headquarters to Port Charlotte in 2009.

Season tickets for spring training go on sale Friday at 9 a.m. at the Tropicana Field box office and on the Rays' Web site (raysbaseball.com). Individual game tickets go on sale Jan. 11.

Rays' spring schedule, Page 13

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