Rays buoyed by trades that didn't happen

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© St. Petersburg Times
published August 1, 2002

ST. PETERSBURG -- You are a fan of the worst team in baseball.

You witness a victory, on average, about every four days. You cheer for the lowest-paid players in the majors and, yes, you still miss Bubba Trammell.

So how should you feel this morning?

Like a new fan.

If there is hope for the Rays, this is the day it was revealed. The trading deadline came and went Wednesday and the Rays took a pass.

For a franchise that seemingly has been going backward forever, standing pat symbolizes a significant step forward.

No dealing for dollars. No half-priced catcher sale. They did not try to buy more time by, once again, selling their soul.

"We have bottomed out, if you would, from all the rough times we've had," general manager Chuck LaMar said. "We've weathered the storm from the moves I've made, from the moves the organization has made, from the financial struggles we've had. Now it seems to me we're back.

"Even though we still don't have a real high payroll -- that's fine. Just give us the opportunity to make baseball trades."

Okay, as positive affirmations go, this was admittedly tepid.

Gee Stan, that canker sore doesn't look any worse than it did yesterday.

But if you have followed this team closely, you understand the importance of maintaining the status quo for a change. Or have you forgotten trading deadlines of the recent past? The ransom paid to sell off Fred McGriff's contract? The departures of Dave Martinez, Steve Trachsel and Jim Mecir?

For the better part of two years, the Rays have devoted most of their energy to unloading their mistakes of the past.

Who would have been surprised if it continued this month?

Anonymous reports suggest this is an outfit in financial crisis. That the payroll is in jeopardy and the electric bill is past due. For a team looking for a cash infusion, the trading deadline is the perfect answer.

Sell Randy Winn and watch the cash flow. Not only do you pocket $2-million or so from the buyer, but you save the remainder of Winn's salary this season and the $3- or $4-million you would have paid him next season.

Even LaMar assumed it was a possibility.

Since April, LaMar has been on the lookout for ways to pare the payroll. If he couldn't move big-ticket players like Greg Vaughn or Wilson Alvarez, he was willing to talk about Winn, Esteban Yan or Paul Wilson.

So it was that early in July he stepped into managing general partner Vince Naimoli's office and asked just how much payroll needed to be saved.

"I'm not privy to all the ownership discussions, but I asked if we needed the money to make it through the year or if we needed money for next year," LaMar said. "I said this would be the time of year to do it because in August or September I might not be able to do something about it. Vince never wavered. He said any moves should be baseball decisions, not financial.

"It hasn't been that way for a long time. I've never been critical of (ownership) because some of the personnel decisions that we on the baseball side have made, have led to this situation. So I'm not in any position to be critical. But it does feel good as a general manager to know that you've got the opportunity to make a baseball move. So I left there feeling good."

He also left determined to get fair value in any trade. If teams wanted Winn, they were going to pry him loose. As a 28-year-old All-Star not eligible for free agency until 2005, Winn should be considered a valuable commodity.

So LaMar scoffs at reports he was asking for "a farm system" in return.

He said he was seeking two prospects -- Double-A or Triple-A players who could be in the majors next year -- in exchange for Winn and perhaps another player. In other words, a win-Winn situation.

"I would be giving up the best position player I have. So I would have to get back at least one position player, if not two," LaMar said. "We're not in the business to be a farm system for the clubs that are winning right now. I think some clubs and the media actually think that."

There was talk the Astros were willing to deal outfielder Daryle Ward. The Giants offered prospects, but not coveted pitcher Jesse Foppert. The Mariners did not have a good fit. The Rays tried to arrange a three-team deal, but never found the right combination.

In the end, LaMar decided the Rays were stronger with Winn still around. Ditto for Wilson, Yan and Steve Cox.

Maybe the landscape will change in the coming months. The Rays could test the waiver wire with players like Ben Grieve or John Flaherty, much like they did two years ago to get out from under Jose Canseco's contract.

In the offseason, they may actually find the right deal for Winn.

The difference is that, unlike the past, they will not be selling themselves short.

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