TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Club's Payroll At Its Limit

ADVERTISEMENT

By MARC LANCASTER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 25, 2009

PORT CHARLOTTE - How far did the Rays stretch their payroll to reel in Pat Burrell and the others they signed this winter? Pretty much to the limit, according to Stuart Sternberg.

The Rays' principal owner addressed that topic and others Tuesday as he arrived for his first visit to spring training this year. Though Sternberg noted you "never say never" and the situation may change by summer, he wasn't optimistic about the possibility of adding payroll in midseason.

"At some point, you put yourself back to the wall, and I think that's where we are right now," he said. "We, quite frankly, can't really afford what we've got on the field this year. But at least we were able to spend the money on a lot of value, we think, and pieces that will give us the opportunity to grow the franchise over the long haul and give us the best opportunity for success this year."

The number of season tickets sold and the Rays' attendance as a whole this season could impact the ultimate decision on that front.

Sternberg said season-ticket sales are up from last year (single-game tickets go on sale this week), but the Rays expect only one major-league team - the Marlins - to sell fewer season tickets this season.

Some owners have gone on the record recently advocating a salary cap as a means to aid competitive balance in the sport. Sternberg said he doesn't believe in a cap, but he would like to see the game revisit its economic structure as a whole.

"You can come up with a whole laundry list, but the issue with a laundry list is that every time you try to do one thing it's got an effect on the other side, so you have to be careful," he said. "You cap salaries, that's great. But if there's a minimum, I can't afford to run my business. So then you have to share more revenue, but teams don't want to share more revenue. If we think about it - not about money, but about competition - I think we could come up with the right answers."

For an extended transcript of Sternberg's remarks, go to TBO.com, Keyword: Rays.

EARLY HOMECOMING

Saturday's Rays-Phillies game in Clearwater would have generated more anticipation than most spring games anyway because it will be a rematch of last fall's World Series. But the ante will be upped a bit with Burrell slated to start for the Rays (as is common in early spring games at NL parks, there will be a DH) against his longtime team.

Rays manager Joe Maddon gave Burrell the option of making the trip, and the player said he would like to - though he didn't "want to make more of it than it is."

"I'm looking forward to it," Burrell said. "Who knows what kind reception and all that - who knows? I've seen a lot up there in Philadelphia. I'm looking forward to it. It's a game, but you can't hide the fact that you've got some relationships with some people, and it's good to see guys."

TODAY'S GAME

The Rays will field all of their healthy and available regulars for today's Grapefruit League opener against the Reds. B.J. Upton (shoulder surgery) and Carlos Pena (abdominal surgery) are the primary absentees due to injury, though Pena probably will be ready soon. OF Matt Joyce (sore right calf) also remains sidelined for the time being.

As for the pitchers, Maddon said starter Carlos Hernandez and Jason Hammel will work two innings apiece today, with the other pitchers slated for one inning.

Also, former Rays OF Jonny Gomes is on the Reds' travel roster for today's game.

NOTEWORTHY

Rays IF Willy Aybar was a last-minute selection to the Dominican Republic's squad for the World Baseball Classic. The Rays found out Monday night that Aybar would be on the final roster released Tuesday. He will play first base and join Rays teammates J.P. Howell (U.S.) and Akinori Iwamura (Japan) in the WBC. ... The MLB Network announced it will televise five Rays spring training games, including Saturday's against the Phillies. Also set to be broadcast are the Rays' games March 16 (Pirates), 19 (Cardinals), 22 (Yankees) and 30 (Twins). ... Carl Crawford highlights the list of Rays scheduled to play against the Yankees in Tampa on Thursday - a group that includes Elliot Johnson. ... RHP Mitch Talbot will start Saturday's game.

Marc Lancaster

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT