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Rays Again Take Creative Approach To Filling Needs

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Andrew Friedman

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By MARC LANCASTER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 2, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - In determining how best to replenish the roster over the winter, the current Tampa Bay Rays front office has generally favored trades and low-risk free-agent signings in the past.

A season of unprecedented success on the field likely won't alter that approach as offseason action heats up over the next couple of weeks. Despite their newly lofty standing in the baseball world – which presumably would make them more attractive to free agents who would have shunned the no-account Devil Rays in the past – they still don't have the dollars available to compete at the highest level for players on the open market.

That means the Rays' focus between now and the beginning of spring training is likely to remain on finding creative solutions to their various roster problems. In the past, that approach led to moves like signing Carlos Pena and Eric Hinske to minor-league contracts and hoping they would exceed their output from previous seasons and produce to their ability level.

Not to mention the linchpin move of last offseason, trading Delmon Young and Brendan Harris to the Twins for Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett. There was of course some risk involved in that deal, but the cost for the Rays to buy a No. 3 starter and starting shortstop on the open market would have been more than prohibitive, so they found a way to address those needs through another avenue.

As the Rays look to add some pitchers to their bullpen and bring in some more options for right field and the designated hitter spot this offseason, they'll have an open mind while remaining aware of their limitations.

"We've got certain free agents on our list, and we've got certain trade possibilities on our list as well," said executive vice president Andrew Friedman. "It just depends on the specific player. Obviously there's a lot of things to factor in in both scenarios and for the most part we've done that. Now it's trying to figure out which options make the most sense for us and are also the most realistic."

Take the big bat the Rays would like to bring in. They'd love to have Raul Ibanez, a heady, hard-working veteran outfielder, but he is highly coveted by many teams around baseball – most of whom probably will have more money to offer than the Rays. That could turn the Rays' focus to more reasonably priced options such as Jason Michaels, Juan Rivera or University of Florida product Brad Wilkerson.

If the Rays look to shore up via trade, they might consider Jermaine Dye of the White Sox or the Marlins' Jeremy Hermida, two players reportedly on the block. Tampa Bay has some depth in starting pitching that would be attractive to most clubs, and the names of Edwin Jackson and Andy Sonnanstine already have been circulating regularly through the rumor mill.

The same philosophy applies to Tampa Bay's need for bullpen help. Former Colorado closer Brian Fuentes, a lefty who can fill any number of relief roles, certainly would be an attractive fit, but he is reportedly attracting strong interest from the likes of the Mets and is likely to command a hefty multiyear deal.

That might lead the Rays in the direction of Will Ohman, Brian Shouse, Joe Beimel, Dennys Reyes, Arthur Rhodes or Alan Embree to sign on as a lefty specialist, replacing Trever Miller. For a veteran right-handed setup man, the Rays could explore the possibility of signing Russ Springer or David Weathers.

Of course, it's all speculation right now. Only two free agents – pitchers Ryan Dempster and Jeremy Affeldt – have signed anywhere to this point and Dempster didn't even change teams, preferring to remain with the Cubs. Concerns over the economy could keep this winter's market unfolding at a slower pace than in the past, but holes will be filled sooner or later.

Reporter Marc Lancaster can be reached at (813) 259-7227.

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