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Rays Acquire Aybar

By MARC LANCASTER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 18, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - The Rays didn't give up much to get the super-utility player they needed, Willy Aybar, from the Atlanta Braves on Thursday.

It cost Tampa Bay left-hander Jeff Ridgway, who didn't appear on track to make the Rays' Opening Day roster, to acquire Aybar and 22-year-old infielder Chase Fontaine, the Braves' second-round pick in the 2006 draft. That's an indication both parties acknowledged some risk when it comes to Aybar, 24, who didn't play in the majors last season because of a substance-abuse problem and a lingering hand injury.

Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said the team did its homework on Aybar's off-the-field problems and considered him well worth the gamble.

"I think it certainly needs to be monitored, and it's something that we will be aggressive to help him in any way we can and to put a support network in place," Friedman said. "Most of that we'll do in private to respect his privacy, but we're going to do anything and everything we can to make sure he maintains the positive momentum he's had going the last five-plus months and put him in a position to really take off with his major-league career."

Aybar is primarily a third baseman and could see regular time there if Evan Longoria doesn't break camp with the Rays. He also has ample experience at second and will play some first base, left field and right field this spring.

Aybar has a .292 average and .387 on-base percentage in 105 games with the Dodgers and Braves.

"We really like Willy's offensive profile," Friedman said. "We feel like he can really hit."

Ridgway, 27, pitched well at Durham last season but retired only one of the 10 batters he faced with the Rays in September, leaving him with a 189.00 career ERA. The one batter he retired: Alex Rodriguez.

Also Thursday, the Rays finalized a one-year deal with outfielder Jonny Gomes, who will make $1.275 million this year and can earn $25,000 more with 500 plate appearances.

Friedman said he remains optimistic the Rays will be able to avoid arbitration and sign left-hander Scott Kazmir and first baseman Carlos Pena by today's team-imposed deadline.

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