Alvarez, Gomez released in Rays roster shuffle

ST. PETERSBURG -- In addition to the removal of Hal McRae as manager, the Rays made several other costly roster moves Monday.

Left-hander Wilson Alvarez, shortstop Chris Gomez and right-hander Tom Martin were released, and infielder Russ Johnson and injured pitcher Kevin McGlinchy were designated for assignment. Right-hander Ryan Rupe, who is arbitration eligible, was activated off the 60-day disabled list.

Alvarez, who threw the first pitch in team history but missed two seasons and part of a third because of various injuries, had a $10-million option for 2003, and Gomez had a $2-million option.

The Rays will pay an approximate $250,000 buyout to allow them to become free agents.

"By releasing them they can start looking for a job immediately," general manager Chuck LaMar said. "They don't have to wait. ... They can go out and try to secure a job right now."

Alvarez pitched in 76 games with the Rays (63 starts) and was 17-26 with a 4.62 ERA. He was 2-3 with one save and a 5.28 ERA in 23 games in the final year of his five-year, $35-million contract.

"Even though things didn't work out, he was here and I've got to try and do what's right for him," LaMar said.

Gomez proved to be a find in his season and a half with the Rays.

"Chris Gomez is a pro," LaMar said. "He handled things for a year and a half as well as you could handle them. We got every bit, if not more, than we bargained for out of him from a playing standpoint."

Signed as a free agent in June 2001 for about $100,000 and resigned to a one-year deal worth $1-million last offseason, Gomez hit .272 with 18 homers and 82 RBIs in 188 games. In addition to his salary this season, the 31-year-old made $500,000 in incentive bonuses.

Tampa Bay now must find a starting shortstop before next season.

"I'm not involved in their decisionmaking process," Alan Meersand, Gomez's agent, said. "But to me, Chris Gomez looks like part of the solution, not part of the problem."

Martin appeared in two games this season and had a 16.02 ERA before being placed on the disabled list April 23 with a torn rotator cuff.

The Rays have 10 days to trade, release or ask waivers on Johnson and McGlinchy.

Johnson, who missed several weeks while being treated for depression and anxiety, played in 45 games this season. He batted .216 with one homer and 12 RBIs and is due to make $775,000 in 2003.

McGlinchy, a Rule 5 selection from Atlanta, had arthroscopic surgery in July to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. McGlinchy had missed most of the past two seasons because of arm problems. Rupe had surgery Aug. 21 to trim cartilage under his right kneecap in an attempt to relieve discomfort that limited him to one start since mid June.