Rays extra

© St. Petersburg Times
published April 12, 2002

SCOUTING REPORT: Under new general manager J.P. Ricciardi, the Blue Jays are trying to rebuild with younger players and cut payroll while staying somewhat competitive. As the Rays have shown, that's a tough challenge. Making it tougher, the starting pitchers have come up short because of injuries and ineffectiveness, and that has had a residual effect on the bullpen. The result hasn't been pretty, as their league-worst 6.89 ERA shows. The Jays do have plenty of offensive potential, led by Carlos Delgado (who has 12 homers against the Rays), Raul Mondesi and Shannon Stewart. Mondesi has been limited to DH duties because of a sore shoulder. Third baseman Eric Hinske is a rookie to watch. The Jays lost five in a row before beating the mighty Yankees on Wednesday and Thursday. Justified or not, there already have been rumors that manager Buck Martinez could be next to go.

TAMPA BAY CONNECTIONS: Brent Abernathy was a top Blue Jays prospect before the Rays acquired him in July 2000 for Mark Guthrie and Steve Trachsel, neither of whom stuck with Toronto. ... Rays pitcher Tanyon Sturtze was signed by Ricciardi when he was an Oakland scout. ... Jays catcher Tom Wilson was a Rays minor-leaguer. ... Jays special assistant Bill Livesey held a similar post with the Rays.

SEASON SERIES: The Rays were 9-10 against the Blue Jays in 2001, 5-5 at Tropicana Field. Overall, the Jays lead 32-24, but the Rays have a 15-13 edge at home.

WHO'S HOT: DH duties seem to agree with Mondesi, who went 3-for-3 Thursday and is hitting .361 overall.

WHO'S NOT: Jose Cruz snapped an 0-for-11 streak Thursday but is in a 1-for-14 slump and hitting .147 overall.