Rays eye starters Ortiz, Loaiza

The veteran RHPs join slugger Jeromy Burnitz as early free-agent targets.

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published November 17, 2004

It is early, probably too early to tell how things will shake out in the free-agent market. But contacts made by the Devil Rays may point to their priorities.

Agent Tony Cabral said Tuesday that Tampa Bay has "legitimate interest" in two of his firm's clients, right-handed pitchers Russ Ortiz and Esteban Loaiza.

"It's a market that needs to define itself," Cabral said. "But they have stepped up and expressed interest to us."

Combined with interest shown in outfielder Jeromy Burnitz and the perceived plan, that also could involve trades, to add two starting pitchers and a slugging outfielder becomes more concrete.

"We're just trying to explore all avenues," general manager Chuck LaMar said. "We have no idea how the market will unfold. We obviously need starting pitching. We've opened up negotiations with several players. We'll see how it goes."

Ortiz or Loaiza would be an upgrade. At least they have a pedigree. Ortiz is 99-56 over the past six seasons and has topped 200 innings in five, and Loaiza was 21-9 in 2003 and finished second in the AL Cy Young voting. And considering both struggled last season, they could be available for less than the $6.2-million and $4-million, respectively, they were paid.

Ortiz, 30, was 15-9 with a 4.13 ERA in 34 starts for the Braves and was an All-Star. But he was 2-3 with a 6.71 ERA in his last 10 starts, allowing 16 home runs in 532/3 innings.

Loaiza, 33 on Dec. 31, was 9-5 with a 4.86 ERA in 21 starts with the White Sox. He regained his mid 90s velocity during the playoffs after being traded to the Yankees. But he was 1-2 with an 8.50 ERA in 10 regular-season games, six starts, with New York and allowed nine homers in 421/3 innings.

Cabral said both are open to signing with the Rays.

"Tampa Bay is definitely on both players' lists," he said. "When you look at Tampa Bay, you start with the manager (Lou Piniella). They're not just rolling it out there. I think they're trying to be competitive. I don't think they put feelers out there just to create interest. There's only one way to get better and that's by attracting talent."

"It's not just about money," said Burnitz's agent, Howard Simon. "There's a combination of things involved in this whole selection process, and those can be negative and positive things. What kind of contender are they and where they're located and what the team's plans are."

Tampa Bay also apparently has batted around names such as righty Jaret Wright, shortstop Barry Larkin, third baseman Tony Batista and outfielder Danny Bautista.

"We're trying to improve the ballclub as much as possible," Piniella said. "We're working on it."

[Last modified November 17, 2004, 00:03:19]