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Boss likes what he sees so far

By KEVIN KELLY, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 19, 2002

ST. PETERSBURG -- From the quality of the grass to the pitchers throwing in the bullpen, Vince Naimoli liked what he saw Monday.

Naimoli

The Rays managing general partner attended his first spring workout and said he's encouraged about the season and the prospect of improvement after a 62-100 record last season.

"We have to do better, that's for sure," Naimoli said. "That's a minimum objective. Certainly we should because you look at the first half and the second half last year and they were totally different. We have good expectations and we're keeping our fingers crossed."

The Rays went 27-61 before the All-Star break.

But once the club opted to play young players instead of high-priced veterans, Tampa Bay won 35 of its last 74 and went 24-23 after Aug. 10.

"I don't think (.500) is out of the question," Naimoli said. "Hal (McRae) has talked about that. He's the manager so we'll leave it up to him. That would be superb if they did that. Once you get to .500 you aren't far away from anything."

The roster is expected to remain stable, though catcher John Flaherty and/or outfielder Greg Vaughn could be dealt by the end of spring training.

"These players have great potential," Naimoli said. "It's a question of them realizing their potential, basically."

NEW DRILL: While they seek improvement overall at the plate -- the Rays hit .258 in 2001 -- McRae also wants to address situational hitting this spring.

That's why a situational hitting station will accompany regular batting practice when position players report Wednesday. Tampa Bay hit .264 with runners in scoring position last season.

"Somehow we've got to solve this thing," McRae said. "We don't know if this (station) is going to solve it, but we're going to try and do it a different way. Hopefully the results are there."

GOOD TO GO: Pitchers Paul Wilson and Wilson Alvarez were examined by Dr. James Andrews on Sunday and deemed healthy.

"It's just a token checkup anymore," said Wilson, who had arthroscopic surgery in 1996.

Alvarez missed the past two seasons after surgery to repair a partially torn rotator cuff and is trying to win the No. 5 spot in the rotation.

"He said, "I guess I don't have to see you anymore,' " Alvarez said. "I said, "That's the idea.' Everything's fine."

MOM'S PRESENT: Outfielder Randy Winn didn't drive to camp in the Mitsubishi Lancer he won for making a halfcourt shot at a Clippers NBA game last month.

Winn presented it to his mother.

"She was really excited," he said. "It's a nice car, actually."

But it comes with a price. Winn will pay license and registration fees.

ODDS AND ENDS: No word on when pitchers Enger Veras and Luis De Los Santos will arrive. Both were experiencing visa complications in their native Dominican Republic. ... Reliever Victor Zambrano did not participate in some drills because of a tight hamstring. ... In addition to Winn, infielder Jorge Cantu and outfielders Ryan Freel and Ben Grieve reported. Forty-nine of 61 players invited to camp have reported.

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