McRae hoping to keep kids together

© St. Petersburg Times
published July 11, 2002

ST. PETERSBURG -- Hal McRae knows business is business. He knows what might happen over the next couple weeks, that he could lose a handful of key players in trades, that his team could be torn apart by deals driven almost solely by dollars.

He understands all this, accepts the reality of it, says there's no reason to be upset if it happens that way.

"If it's a money thing there's nothing to feel bad about," he said. "If it's a mandated thing there's nothing to feel bad about."

But that doesn't mean it won't matter.

McRae thinks this group of players is close to coming together as a competitive team, and he says a series of trades would slow, if not stop, that progress.

"If you keep turning them over, that makes it hard because you go through the same learning curve with the new people and that makes it difficult," he said. "So unless the new people have much more ability than the old people, you go through the same thing again.

"We're getting to the point with these guys where we might be getting over the hump, but if there's a bunch of new players you sort of have to go through the same thing again so the learning curve probably starts over, and therefore you don't make progress as quickly."

Ultimately, the impact of any trades on the team will be measured by "who they are and why they left," McRae said. "If they leave because they've got to go that's one thing. There's no reason to feel bad if (general manager) Chuck (LaMar) says this is what we've got to do, there's no other way to do it."

Among the players who could be traded are outfielder Randy Winn, first baseman Steve Cox, catcher John Flaherty, relievers Doug Creek and Esteban Yan and starters Ryan Rupe, Tanyon Sturtze and Paul Wilson.

STILL PENDING: No official word on the status of Russ Johnson is expected until today. The reserve infielder left the team Saturday for what Rays officials said were "personal reasons."

The Rays would not detail what led to his departure, but they said they expected him back for tonight's game. If Johnson is not ready to play, they may seek put him on the disabled or restricted list.

STAND TALL: Rays coaches think one of the problems with Jesus Colome, who has given up winning hits in his past two outings, is that he is not throwing downhill enough. Another, pitching coach Jackie Brown said, is a lack of confidence. Colome has given up hits to his first batter 10 of 14 times and has allowed left-handed batters a .548 average.

SHUFFLED DECK: The Rays moved Joe Kennedy to the front of the rotation to start the second half, but McRae said that doesn't mean he should be considered the ace. "I'm just trying to win a game, and my decision was made because he pitched good against Seattle out there," McRae said.

MISCELLANY: Winn ranks seventh in the AL with 104 hits and 10th with a .310 average. ... Winn's double Tuesday was the first hit by a Ray in an All-Star Game. ... The Chamberlain High baseball team, a semifinalist in the state Class 5A tournament, will be honored before tonight's game. ... Opening ceremonies for the Florida Special Olympics will be Friday.