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Baseball Meeting Stirs Memories Of Rays Deals

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By MARC LANCASTER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 5, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Every deal starts with a conversation, and hundreds will be had over the next four days as baseball holds its annual winter meetings at the Bellagio hotel Monday.

Will the American League champion Rays make a move in Vegas? We'll see. Last year, they dealt Elijah Dukes to the Washington Nationals during the winter meetings.

The Rays seem more likely to address their needs via trade than through a free-agent signing, and with that in mind, here's a look back at the five best swaps in Tampa Bay's history:

Nov. 28, 2007: Rays acquire RHP Matt Garza, SS Jason Bartlett and RHP Eduardo Morlan from Minnesota Twins for OF Delmon Young, IF Brendan Harris and OF Jason Pridie.

No one could have expected it at the time, but this bold move may have put the Rays over the top in 2008 by solidifying the starting rotation with Garza and bringing in Bartlett as the key member of a revamped defense.

July 28, 2007: Devil Rays acquire RHP Dan Wheeler from Houston Astros for IF Ty Wigginton.

Though Wigginton was, and remains, a solid pro capable of playing multiple positions, the acquisition of Wheeler was the first step in elevating Tampa Bay's bullpen to respectability.

June 27, 2006: Devil Rays acquire RHP Jae Seo, C Dioner Navarro and player to be named (OF Justin Ruggiano) from Los Angeles Dodgers for LHP Mark Hendrickson, C Toby Hall and cash.

It took until 2008 for the deal to look like a really good one for the Rays beyond the unneeded salary they dumped in Hendrickson and Hall. For two veterans who didn't fit into the long-term plans, they nabbed a future All-Star in Navarro and a useful outfield piece in Ruggiano.

July 30, 2004: Devil Rays acquire LHP Scott Kazmir and RHP Jose Diaz from New York Mets for RHP Victor Zambrano and RHP Bartolome Fortunato.

Considered one of the great heists in recent baseball history for any team. Kazmir has grown into a two-time All-Star, and Zambrano has gone 10-17 with a 5.01 ERA in just 52 big-league appearances for three teams since the trade.

Nov. 18, 1997: Devil Rays acquire 1B Fred McGriff from Atlanta Braves for cash.

The fledgling franchise added some name recognition shortly after the expansion draft by adding Tampa native McGriff. He went on to hit 99 homers in 577 games for Tampa Bay and is a Rays adviser.

Reporter Marc Lancaster can be reached at (813) 259-7227 or mlancaster@tampatrib.com.

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