Rays hoping to avoid arbitration

By MARC TOPKIN
Published January 19, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - After exchanging figures with the six arbitration-eligible players Tuesday, Devil Rays general manager Chuck LaMar sounded confident most of the cases would end up resolved in the middle ground.

"Exchanging numbers is a step in the process," LaMar said. "We're not against going through the arbitration process, but most our cases, I believe, will be settled before the hearings."

Catcher Toby Hall, arbitration eligible for the first time, sought the largest increase, asking for a raise from $335,000 to $2.25-million after hitting .255 with eight homers and 60 RBIs last season. The Rays offered $1.7-million.

Shortstop Julio Lugo sought the highest salary, asking for $3.8-million after making $2.2-million last season while hitting .275 with seven homers and 75 RBIs. The Rays offered $3.1-million.

Of the other four, all relievers, Jorge Sosa's request for $925,000 stood out given he has yet to spend a full season in the majors and has an 11-26 overall record and a 5.17 ERA; the Rays offered $550,000. Sosa made $327,500 last year.

Trever Miller, who made $750,000 last season while making 60 appearances, filed for $1.375-million; the Rays offered $850,000. Jesus Colome, who made $320,000 last season, filed for $825,000; the Rays offered $550,000. Travis Harper, who made $332,500 last season, filed for $840,000; the Rays offered $650,000.

Negotiations can continue up to the hearings, which will take place in February. The Rays usually settle their cases, having gone to one hearing in seven years, beating Esteban Yan in 2002.

Earlier, the Rays officially introduced new outfielder Danny Bautista, who signed his $1.9-million contract after passing a physical.

Walking into Tropicana Field proved to be an odd experience for Bautista; he was there with the Marlins in 2000 when he got the news he had been dealt to Arizona.

"I was talking to my wife this morning, and I said, "Hey, wait a minute, this is where I got traded.' "

To make room for Bautista on the 40-man roster, the Rays designated for assignment catcher Pete LaForest, who hit .222 in an injury-shortened season with Triple-A Durham. In 2003, LaForest hit .167 in 19 games with the Rays. The Rays have 10 days to trade or release LaForest or pass him through waivers.

The Rays will have to drop a second player when they add Roberto Alomar to the roster Thursday and another if/when they sign top draft pick Jeff Niemann.

Also:

Outfield prospect Elijah Dukes was arrested early Tuesday on a first-degree misdemeanor charge of battery (domestic violence). Dukes is to remain in jail until this morning, when he is expected to have bail set by a Hillsborough County judge. According to police, Dukes was having an argument with his sister then grabbed her by the throat and punched her in the left arm.

It was the third time Dukes, a Tampa resident, has been arrested in the past 13 months, though a December 2003 misdemeanor assault charge was dropped. He has also been arrested as a juvenile. Rays spokesman Rick Vaughn said the team had no comment.

Despite missing time last season to attend anger management classes, Dukes hit a combined .312 with 10 homers and 49 RBIs in 101 games at Class A Charleston (S.C.) and Bakersfield and was ranked the team's seventh-best prospect by Baseball America.

Former Rays pitcher Tony Saunders, who retired in August 2000 after breaking his left arm for the second time, is about to take the next step in his comeback. Saunders is scheduled to take a physical today for the Orioles, and if all goes well he is expected to sign a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Saunders, who grew up in the Baltimore area, told the Times in December he planned to become a reliever and was willing to work back through the minor leagues.

Backup catcher Kevin Cash and pitchers Jon Switzer and John Webb agreed to terms on one-year contracts.

The Rays are accepting nominations for the annual Saunders courage award and $2,500 scholarship that goes to a local student-athlete who demonstrates extraordinary effort or excellence in sport while overcoming adversity. Nominations can be made by phone ((727) 825-3242), over the Internet (www.devilrays.come) or by mail (Tony Saunders Courage Award, Public Relations Office, Tropicana Field, One Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg, FL 33705).

The Rays are also accepting audition tapes and CDs for prospective national anthem singers through Jan. 28. Fifty finalists will be selected for a live audition at Tropicana Field on Feb. 15.

Times staff writer Greg Auman contributed to this report.

[Last modified January 19, 2005, 00:33:17]