Hillsborough's Dukes near deal

© St. Petersburg Times
published August 21, 2002

BALTIMORE -- The Rays are close to signing third-round pick Elijah Dukes of Tampa and could have a deal within the next few days.

"I think that's very easy for me to say," director of player personnel Cam Bonifay said Tuesday.

Based on other signings, Dukes, who played most recently at Hillsborough High, is likely to receive a bonus in excess of $500,000.

At 6 feet 2 and 223 pounds, Dukes is considered a tremendous athlete with the potential to be a power-hitting outfielder in the big leagues.

Bonifay said the Rays continue to talk with representatives for first-round pick B.J. Upton and expect the situation to be resolved by Monday, when Upton is scheduled to start classes at Florida State.

"The 26th is our deadline," Bonifay said. Upton, the No. 2 pick in the draft, also is believed to be considering attending junior college, which would allow the Rays to retain his rights until next May but also would give him the option of re-entering the draft.

The Rays are believed to have offered a bonus of around $4.5-million that, under provisions for two-sport athletes, could be paid out over a period as long as five years. The structure of the payments, including an initial payout of $250,000, still are being negotiated.

MORE MONEY, MORE RESTRAINT: Manager Hal McRae said a new labor agreement that includes more money for the Rays to spend to meet a minimum payroll requirement would be good because they would be able to bring in better players.

Just as important, they no longer would have to bring up players who didn't deserve to be in the big leagues.

"I think that would be better for the organization and better for the individuals involved if they were put in situation where they had to earn their way to the big leagues," McRae said.

"We're getting to the point where they expect to be given too much, so attitude-wise it's not good. They need to earn their way to the big leagues and know they earned their way rather than being brought up because you were the best we had or because you were the prospect and the other guys weren't, so you're in the big leagues."

Among the owners' proposals is a minimum team payroll of at least $45-million. The details are subject to negotiation, but regardless of the exact formula the Rays, who had the lowest opening day payroll this season at $34-million, would end up having to spend more.

"That would be best from my point of view," McRae said. PITCHING IN: McRae said he hasn't decided yet if Victor Zambrano, who starts tonight, will be a starter or reliever next season. "It might depend on what happens over the winter, who's back," he said. Paul Wilson, Tanyon Sturtze and Ryan Rupe are all eligible for arbitration and may be too expensive to retain.

SORE SUBJECTS: Andy Sheets bruised left leg was feeling better Tuesday, but he may not be available until Tuesday in Anaheim. ... Outfielder Ben Grieve said he occasionally has pain in his right ankle from a old bone spur but doesn't expect to miss any games.

MINOR MATTERS: With general manager Chuck LaMar looking on, Dewon Brazelton had another strong outing for Orlando on Monday, allowing four hits and two runs over six innings. Brazelton is 3-0 with an 0.69 ERA in his past four starts. ... Pete LaForest hit his Southern League-leading 19th homer, giving the Rays four home run leaders.

MISCELLANY: Chris Gomez broke the team shortstop marks he set last season with his ninth homer and 37th RBI. ... Aubrey Huff's seventh August homer was also a team record. ... Wilson is the first Ray to beat the same opponent four times in a season. ... Thursday's game with the Orioles is a makeup of an April 9 postponement.