BOSTON - The Devil Rays are looking for a proven veteran hitter to add to their lineup and help their young players.
Barry Larkin is looking for a job.
He is not the big bat they crave for the middle of their order. He is not single-handedly going to make them contenders. He is not, at age 40, going to be a part of their long-term future.
But he could be quite a help.
Larkin could be a good example for the rising stars in a clubhouse that doesn't have many leaders. He could be the perfect man to mold B.J. Upton. He could fill in around the infield and at DH. And, as always matters to the Rays, he could come cheaply, having already made mountains of money and played last season for $700,000.
Larkin was supposed to retire after the season, but he played so well (when the Reds let him), hitting .289 and making the All-Star team, that he decided he wanted to keep at it. The Reds weren't interested and said goodbye after 19 years.
Larkin lives in Orlando, so joining the Rays would be convenient and appealing personally. He loved playing for Lou Piniella in Cincinnati (and Piniella loved having him), so the fit would be good. He likes challenges and, well, that's something the Rays provide.
"We haven't even talked about teams yet," agent Eric Goldschmidt said Friday. "Barry has never been a free agent before. We're going to see what clubs approach us, what their level of interest is, how they would plan on using him, all those kinds of factors.
"We're going to be completely open-minded. There's a lot of possibilities out there - every team but Cincinnati."
CALL HIM MR. RAY: In response to the Red Sox's Pedro Martinez calling the Yankees his "daddy" because he can't beat them, we wondered about the Devil Rays' paternity issues.
Their "daddy," the one pitcher who beats them more than any other? Former Yankee/current Astro Andy Pettitte, who is 11-1 against them. And who are the Rays the "daddy" of? Current Cardinal Jeff Suppan, against whom they are 5-0.
RAYS RUMBLINGS: Piniella was seen in New York last week, but don't bother with the Mets rumors; he was there for a charity appearance. ... Delmon Young is off to a good start in the Arizona Fall League, hitting .320 with five RBIs in six games. ... Radio rights talks are expected to go on for another couple weeks. ... The Rays still hope to sign No. 1 draft pick Jeff Niemann, but it might not bode well that the Tigers were so frustrated with No. 2 overall pick Justin Verlander they broke off talks and that No. 8 pick Wade Townsend went back to school. ... GM Chuck LaMar and pitcher Doug Waechter are scheduled to visit patients at All Children's Hospital on Tuesday.
SMART THINKING: Houston pitcher Brandon Backe, an ex-Ray, was so confident the Astros were going to close out the Braves in Game 4 of the division series, he didn't bring a suitcase to the stadium for the potential trip to Atlanta for Game 5.
What he apparently forget was that if the Astros went on to Game 5 and won, they would fly straight to St. Louis for the NLCS. And guess who was out shopping for new clothes in St. Louis on Tuesday.
RUMOR MILL: With ex-agent Jeff Moorad taking over the D'backs Friday, a managerial hiring is expected soon. Bob Melvin and Wally Backman appear to be front-runners. ... Word is Charlie Manuel is emerging as the top candidate for the Phillies' job, though they, smartly, will talk to Jim Fregosi before deciding. ... New Mets GM Omar Minaya finally talked to Bobby Valentine last week - "as a friend" - but there continues to be buzz about Texas hitting coach Rudy Jamarillo. ... Seattle seems to be focusing on Joe Maddon and Terry Collins, though Rays hitting coach Lee Elia's name keeps getting in the paper. ... Chris Speier may replace the fired Wendell Kim as the Cubs' third-base coach. ... The Marlins have interest in Joe Girardi as bench coach.
MISCELLANY: Under new ownership, the Brewers are expected to raise their NL-low payroll from $27-million to around $40-million. ... Ex-Diamondbacks boss Jerry Colangelo and his wife were mugged while in Paris, but aside from being pepper-sprayed Colangelo was okay, his wife got her purse back and police made an arrest. ... When Larry Walker returned to Colorado late in the season with the Cardinals, his children were not allowed in the stadium family room. The Rockies later apologized. ... The Reds sent Austin Kearns, who might be their best outfielder, to the instructional league to learn how to play third base. ... The Angels want to trim their payroll from $112-million to under $100-million range The Braves are headed down about $10-million, into the low $80-millions.
Information from other news organizations was used in the report.
