Newest Rays ready to sneak up on East

Jose Cruz, Rey Sanchez were attracted to area, manager and talent.

ST. PETERSBURG - Jose Cruz and Rey Sanchez have a lot to play for.

The two newest Devil Rays said Tuesday they came to Tampa Bay for several reasons: the opportunity to play regularly, to play for manager Lou Piniella and to play on what both consider a rising young team that has the talent to do better, maybe much better, than outsiders think.

"We were talking about that on the way here," Sanchez said. "The Marlins did it. Why can't we do it?"

The general reaction to the Rays' offseason makeover has been that they did well but that it won't make much difference in the increasingly rugged AL East.

But Cruz, the athletic rightfielder, and Sanchez, the smooth shortstop, see it otherwise.

"These guys are good," Cruz said. "It's definitely a team sport and if everybody catches on and does what they're supposed to, and do things the right way with solid defense and guys who can hold the lead when we get it, I think we're going to score a lot of runs. Offensively, we're very exciting, very fast. It's going to be fun to see."

Sanchez, who ranks third all-time among shortstops with a .981 fielding percentage, trailing only Omar Vizquel and Mike Bordick, said he has been hoping for several years to land with the Rays. He is looking forward to moving up from south Florida and being closer to two daughters who live in Sarasota.

"Tampa has always been one of the places I've wanted to play," he said. "I've been on some good teams, but not where I wanted to be. I'm really happy to be here."

Cruz, who lives in the Miami area, is excited, too, especially about the chance to work again with Lee Elia and Piniella. He almost signed last year, and Piniella recruited him heavily this winter.

"It makes you feel good to be wanted," Cruz said. "I figured I'd end up on a Lou Piniella team sooner or later. I can't believe it took this long to get here."

Cruz, 29, is a career .313 hitter at Tropicana Field and said he'd like to play five or six years and finish his career with the Rays.

NOTES: The Rays are scheduled to play their home opener April 6 against the Yankees. The schedule was revised to accommodate the season-opening trip to Japan, expected to be formally announced today. The Rays host the Yankees April 6-7 and the Orioles April 9-11, then play a two-game series April 13-14 at New York.

A one-year deal with new third baseman Geoff Blum is close, avoiding arbitration.

With Saturday the contract tender deadline, the Rays are negotiating with pitcher Rob Bell and likely to let Marlon Anderson go or deal him, possibly to Cleveland.

First baseman John-Paul Davis (.284, 16 homers, 69 RBIs at A-AA) went to St. Louis to complete the Tino Martinez trade.