First wave of cuts on the way

By MARC TOPKIN, Times Staff Writer

© St. Petersburg Times
published March 13, 2002

FORT MYERS -- There might be considerably fewer Rays competing for jobs after today.

The Rays are expected to make their first significant roster reduction of the spring as soon as this morning, though manager Hal McRae wouldn't say how deep the cuts will go.

"There'll be some," he said.

Going into spring training, McRae said he hoped to quickly clear out as many of the players that weren't likely to make the team to create more opportunities for those with a legitimate chance.

Most likely that could mean reassignments to the minor leagues for several promising young players, such as outfielders Carl Crawford and Rocco Baldelli and perhaps right-hander Dewon Brazelton, the top pick in the 2001 draft, who was dropped from the list of pitchers scheduled to appear in games this week.

While the young players know the cuts are looming, most don't want to acknowledge it. McRae said he can relate.

"It hasn't changed since I was a player," he said. "You know you're going, but you're just hoping to slide through another week. You're hoping for another week of games and another week of meal money."

Why not? Players in major-league camp receive about $900 a week for food and housing expenses.

RAYS LOSE: The Rays did not recover from a rough first inning that included Jason Tyner getting caught stealing, Ben Grieve being picked off, and Nick Bierbrodt putting seven of the first nine men on base, and lost to Minnesota 6-2.

Travis Harper looked strong in 21/3 innings, allowing one hit while striking out four. Harper, who started last season in the rotation but was sent to Triple-A Durham after two starts and eventually was taken off the 40-man roster, is an emerging candidate for a long-relief role.

"I think he'll do good in that role," McRae said. "I think he's a pitcher that has shown this spring he can help us. At what stage of the season, I don't know. But I think he can help us."

Ryan Rupe, competing with Wilson Alvarez for the fifth spot in the rotation, had three decent innings but allowed a long home run to David Ortiz, the only run he has given up in eight innings. "I'm happy with it," Rupe said.

Tyner dropped a bunt for a base hit for the second game in a row. "He's getting closer to playing his game, which is a running and base-stealing and bunting game," McRae said.

CROWDED CORNER: Aubrey Huff came into spring training hoping to show he had improved enough defensively to reclaim the starting third-base job. Tuesday, he got his first chance to play there, handling one play with no problem.

"We have a lot of guys playing for that spot," Huff said. "That's where I want to play, I can't lie, but whatever gets me in the lineup -- DH, first base, third base. I just want to make the team."

HIT THE BEACH: With no game scheduled Thursday, all players (except Rupe and Bierbrodt, who will be on their normal throw day) will have the day off. And it sounds like they'd better enjoy it.

"A pause to refresh," McRae said. "And we're going to hit it hard after that. For about a week we're going to hit it real hard. We'll step up the running after games, and then back it down. The players should work hard that week, and they should like it. They should be tired when the day's done."