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Rays Optimistic About Landing Marquee Hitter

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By MARC LANCASTER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 16, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG – The sense of urgency that always seems to accompany the winter meetings has faded, but the Rays still feel good about their chances of landing the impact hitter they seek this winter.

Speaking to the media at Tropicana Field Tuesday as new acquisition Matt Joyce got his first look at the home clubhouse, Friedman said not much of substance had changed since his return from the annual meetings late last week.

"I think things were a lot more action-packed in Las Vegas, when people were all under the same roof," Friedman said. "We've had some conversations since then, but there hasn't been a tremendous amount of progress. But we've continued to have strong dialogue with multiple agents and we still remain cautiously optimistic that we'll be able to add the type of bat that we would like to."

Free agents on their shopping list include Jason Giambi, Milton Bradley, Pat Burrell, Adam Dunn, Garret Anderson and Ken Griffey Jr. They also have spoken with Bobby Abreu's agent, but Friedman indicated it was much more likely the Rays would go after someone who would primarily serve as the DH. At this point, it appears right field will be the domain of some combination of Joyce, Gabe Gross, Fernando Perez and Justin Ruggiano.

The Rays don't see their various targets as interchangeable, but they are cognizant of remaining in the loop with everyone in case those atop their list end up elsewhere. Though there have been several reports that the Chicago Cubs have made Bradley their top offseason target, there does not seem to be a sense that anyone on the list is pushing to get a deal done quickly.

The lack of clear parameters for what similar players should be paid in this economically confusing offseason is part of it, but a benchmark of sorts may have been established this week when the Phillies signed Raul Ibanez to a three-year, $30-million deal. The Rays had some interest in Ibanez, but Friedman said he hasn't seen any indication that the market is ready to pick up steam now that the former Mariners outfielder has found a new home.

"We've got a priority order on these guys, and the guys that we feel like fit us extremely well are still on the board and their agents aren't at a point where they're forcing things along," Friedman said. "Depending on who does and at what juncture may expedite things for us depending on where that player ranks. In the event that something unforeseen happens in the market or where these players want to play, etc., we feel like we've got some pretty good backup plans as well."

How long will it take? There has been plenty of talk that the shopping season for free agents could last deep into January – a spot on the calendar when most of the big offseason pieces usually are already in place. Friedman was skeptical about that timeframe.

"I could see something in the next week; I could see something in the first week of January if it doesn't happen next week," he said. "I don't really see it going to late January or early February, but it certainly could."

Friedman said at the winter meetings that he expected the Rays to be able to field a "competitive" offer for the free agents on their list, and that remains the case. Until they have someone under contract, though, the Rays won't get too comfortable about their situation.

"I think we're on a good course," said Manager Joe Maddon. "We're hearing some positive stuff back, but like anything else you've got to wait until the very last moment [to know what will happen]."

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

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