DETROIT - Tino Martinez finished this season by carrying the lineup card to home plate for Sunday's finale.
Now the question is whether the Tampa native will be in the Rays lineup next season.
Martinez, who turns 37 in December, said he greatly enjoyed playing for Lou Piniella and playing at home (even more than he expected to) and would like to come back, though he would hope to see the Rays improve their chances to win.
"I want a better team," he said. "I'm not going to come out and say, "Do this or that,' but I would like to win a few more games. ... They have a lot of good talent here and hopefully they'll improve a little bit and keep this team going in the right direction."
Martinez knows the Rays aren't going to pick up his $8-million option for next season and said salary would not determine whether he returned. His three kids want him to keep playing, but he said he only will in a good situation, such as staying with the Rays.
"If I can help them and they need me back and want me back and I feel like I can help improve the team, I'd love to," he said. "But if I can't, if I'm not part of the plans, I understand that and I wouldn't be bitter or anything like that."
LOOKING AHEAD:
Besides Martinez, the other potential free agents are reserve infielder Rey Sanchez, backup catcher Brook Fordyce and pitchers John Halama and Todd Ritchie.
The more interesting decisions will be in what the Rays do with some of their 11 arbitration-eligible players, including catcher Toby Hall, shortstop Julio Lugo and pitchers Rob Bell, Jesus Colome, Travis Harper, Trever Miller and Jorge Sosa.
Arbitration-eligible players who are less likely to return include Geoff Blum, Midre Cummings, Jeremi Gonzalez and Damian Rolls.
CASHING IN:
Jose Cruz didn't have the most successful season on the field, but he had a profitable one, earning $1-million in incentive bonuses.
By making more than 600 plate appearances, Cruz earned $500,000 on top of his $2.5-million salary and will have $500,000 added to his 2005 salary, increasing it to $4-million.
Closer Danys Baez added $200,000 to his $1.5-million salary, but he could have made an additional $50,000 if he gotten the final out Sunday, which would have been his 60th game finished.
Among other players who cashed in incentive clauses (appearances or games played), Lugo made an extra $450,000, Sanchez $430,000, Blum and Halama $100,000 and Miller $75,000.
Overall, the Rays will pay about $4-million in incentive and deferred signing bonuses.
DRAFT DAZE:
Under a new system, the draft order will be determined strictly by order of finish and not alternated by leagues. The Rays are in line to pick eighth, their lowest since 1998.
RAYS ON THE RADIO:
Paul Olden and Charlie Slowes, radio voices since the first season, signed off Sunday for what could be the last time. The Rays don't have a radio deal for next season, and the two haven't been told if they will be brought back.
JUST SHORT:
Aubrey Huff went 1-for-3 to finish with a .297 average but was only a bit disappointed about falling short of .300. "It isn't going to bother me," he said. "The way I started I never thought I'd get close. I'll take it."
MISCELLANY: Carl Crawford said his bruised left knee was sore but overall felt better and he was "less worried" there was serious damage. He is scheduled for an MRI exam today. ... Reliever Colome was examined last week by Dr. James Andrews and told he needed only rest to clear up the shoulder tendinitis that landed him on the disabled list. ... The 29 road wins are the most since 33 in 2000; the 40 home wins were a team record. ... Spring training opens Feb.18.[Last modified October 4, 2004, 04:53:08]
