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Addition Of Burrell Is Applauded

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The Tampa Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 15, 2009

ST. PETERSBURG - No one has to convince James Shields about new addition Pat Burrell's potential worth to the Rays. His memories of three battles with Burrell in Game 2 of the World Series remain fresh.

"It was funny, I was telling my dad a month or two ago that the hardest guy on the Phillies to face for me was Burrell, because he just grinded every single at-bat," Shields said Wednesday. "I think I threw 14 pitches an at-bat to him, it seemed like. He's not scared to take his walks, he's a very patient hitter, he wants to get his pitch. He'll foul pitches off just to get that one pitch. I think he's going to be really good for our team."

Shields wasn't alone in his assessment among the Rays gathered at Tropicana Field on Wednesday morning for an informal workout. The team's offseason acquisitions were universally applauded by the incumbents.

"I think it's awesome," Evan Longoria said. "It proves, definitely, that we're trying to be a contender in a league where that's very tough to do, especially with the two, three, four big-market teams we have in this league.

"But it definitely does show a step forward for the organization as far as the money they're going to spend and what they're going to do to try to make this a winning franchise."

B.J. Upton likes the thought of Burrell serving as the DH in a batting order that already has plenty of depth.

"Definitely a big bat for the middle of that lineup," Upton said. "He can bring us 20-plus home runs, and any time you can add that to your lineup, it's big. Especially when you add it to the speed we've got and the guys we've already got here, that's going to play a big part in what we do this year."

NEW LOOK

A new alternate jersey will give the Rays a different look for select games this season. The new dark-blue uniform top, unveiled Wednesday, will make its debut at the May 1 game against the Red Sox at Tropicana Field.

The jersey is similar to the one worn by the Rays in spring training and during batting practice, but the sunburst over the "R" is larger and there is light-blue piping around the sleeves and collar and down the front of the jersey.

"It looks real good," Scott Kazmir said. "Any time you can throw in that baby blue a little bit more, it's always good."

BULKING UP

Scott Kazmir has grown a bit during the offseason. The left-hander has embarked on a strengthening program and put on nearly 20 pounds since the end of the World Series, his weight jumping from about 180 to 197, he said Wednesday.

Kazmir underwent an evaluation of sorts after the season and determined it would be smart to add some muscle to provide a bit more "balance" in his body. The difference is noticeable, as is Kazmir's enthusiasm to get back on the mound.

While most of his teammates were content simply to play catch Wednesday, Kazmir fired a few strikes to his partner.

"Did you see me chucking the ball out there?" he said. "It's January and everybody has to keep reminding me that it is, because I'm ready to go back out there."

SIGN HIM UP

The Rays agreed to terms with OF Gabe Gross on a one-year contract worth $1,255,000, avoiding arbitration.

Gross hit .242 with 13 homers in 302 at-bats for the Rays after coming from Milwaukee in an April 22 trade. He is penciled in to see plenty of playing time as the left-handed hitting half of Tampa Bay's right-field platoon.

With his signing, the Rays have four arbitration-eligible players remaining: Willy Aybar, Grant Balfour, Jason Bartlett and Dioner Navarro.

Marc Lancaster

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