Rays get help at catcher

© St. Petersburg Times
published March 25, 2003

ST. PETERSBURG -- In the first of what manager Lou Piniella hopes are several moves, the Devil Rays on Monday found the backup catcher they were looking for, acquiring Javier Valentin from the Brewers in exchange for outfielder Jason Conti.

Next up could be a right-handed hitting outfielder and a utility infielder, either through waiver claims or additional trades, with general manager Chuck LaMar in talks with several teams.

"We'd like to add a couple pieces if we can," Piniella said. "I'm not talking about everyday players, I'm talking about just improving our bench situation if we can, give us a little more depth, a little more versatility, a little more balance with right-handed hitting. We'll see what happens."

Wednesday should be a big day as teams have until 2 p.m. to release players without having to pay their full 2003 salaries. Cincinnati outfielder Ruben Mateo could be among those available.

Valentin, 27, was Minnesota's backup catcher in 1998-99 but spent nearly all of the past three seasons at Triple A. Valentin, whose brother Jose plays for the White Sox, has a .230 career major-league average with eight homers and 46 RBIs in 391 at-bats.

"He's got a little sock with his bat, he's got some major-league experience and he hits from both sides of the plate, which is an advantage," Piniella said.

"When I saw him with Minnesota a few years ago I used to call him Little Pudge. He reminds me a little bit of (All-Star catcher Ivan) 'Pudge' Rodriguez; I'm talking about in appearance."

To make room, the Rays reassigned veteran Jorge Fabregas to minor-league camp. Hector Ortiz remains on the 28-man spring roster.

Conti played in 78 games for the Rays last season, hitting .257. He didn't appear to have a place on the team, and Jason Tyner, the lone remaining backup outfielder, may not, either.

DOWN BUT NOT OUT: Dewon Brazelton wasn't that upset about being sent to Triple A as he was limited to five innings because of injuries, but he vowed to be back soon, probably within a month.

"It's one thing to not make the team because you ain't got it; I was hurt," Brazelton said. "Once I get my innings up and do what I do ... I can't see why it will take that long."

Brazelton, the team's top pick in the 2001 draft, was expected to make a strong bid for a rotation spot this spring but missed a week when he tweaked his right knee in a sliding drill and another week with a groin strain.

"I think if I don't get hurt either time I think I'm sitting right here and you're talking to somebody else," he said.

PITCHING IN: Rob Bell, signed last week to a minor-league contract, will start tonight in place of Steve Parris and may be joining the competition for a bullpen spot. "We want to give him a look," pitching coach Chris Bosio said. ... Four others are competing for the final two bullpen spots: Brandon Backe, Travis Phelps, Jorge Sosa and left-hander Cedrick Bowers. Gerardo Garcia also was sent to Durham.

GAME DETAILS: No.4 starter Nick Bierbrodt got plenty of work in the 4-3 win over Philadelphia, throwing 84 pitches in four innings. "A lot of five-pitch at-bats," Bierbrodt said. "Or six- and seven-pitch at-bats." ... Jim Thome hit a foul ball that carried across First Street S, then a home run that went deep into the night. "Windblown," Bierbrodt said, joking. "A windblown 500-footer." ... Rocco Baldelli hit a two-run homer, his team-high fourth of the spring, to rally the Rays from a 2-1 deficit in the sixth en route to a 4-3 win.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS: Piniella has yet to decide between Marlon Anderson and Brent Abernathy for the starting second baseman. Anderson's .161 spring average hasn't helped. ... Plans to rotate DH duties could include Toby Hall when Valentin is behind the plate.

PEWTER POWER: Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Bucs coach Jon Gruden and general manager Rick McKay will throw out the ceremonial first pitches for Monday's 5:15 p.m. regular-season opener. ... Ticket sales are in the 30,000 range, though that includes about 10,000 sold to a sponsor who will distribute vouchers to school employees.

MISCELLANY: The Orioles say they are not interested in signing Greg Vaughn, who will clear waivers Wednesday. ... Reserved seats for Wednesday's game with the Yankees are sold out; several hundred berm tickets will go on sale at 4 p.m. Wednesday.