High hopes but no predictions from GM LaMar

By TOM JONES
Published February 24, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - Blue skies. Green grass. Crack of the bat. All that poetic jazz.

Spring training got into full swing Wednesday with the first day of full-squad workouts, and everything is great in Devil Rays Land.

The Rays are tied with the Yankees and Red Sox, everyone is healthy and no one is in a slump.

Caught up in the mood of the first day, general manager Chuck LaMar was all smiles and optimism. With a revamped infield, the addition of a few veteran arms and a core of young stars such as Aubrey Huff and Carl Crawford, the Rays again are singing a happy tune about being better and laying the foundation for the future.

But though LaMar handed out praise and hope, there was one thing he did not hand out: predictions.

"We're not going to throw any numbers out there," LaMar said. "I know (manager) Lou ( Piniella) did last year and we reached those numbers, thank goodness. But I think this year that we're going to improve. Wins and losses? Obviously, we want to win more games than we did last year. But we've got to continue developing the young talent."

While on the speaking circuit before last spring, Piniella predicted the Rays would not finish last for the first time in club history. They didn't, beating out the Blue Jays in the American League East.

LaMar could not be coaxed into such a bold prediction but did say how the Rays could improve.

"Finish with a better record against the Yankees and Red Sox," LaMar said.

The Rays went 9-29 against the AL's big two while going 61-62 against everyone else.

"Not saying that one game under .500 is what we're shooting for," LaMar said, "but that's a good start. We just have to do better against those other two teams."

HUFFIN' AND PUFFIN': Huff would love to be batting between, say, Carlos Beltran and Sammy Sosa, but he knows the Rays don't have the kind of money to sign or trade for stars. If he's unhappy about it, he didn't say so Wednesday.

"Well, we were working with a $10-million (payroll increase), so obviously we were not going to pick up top-of-the-line free agents," Huff said. "But I think we filled some holes. We got some good players coming in and some older guys who haven't played in a couple of years, and we'll see what they got."

Meantime, Huff likely is searching for a bag to carry all his gloves. He likely will see time in leftfield and rightfield as well as first and third base. He would prefer the outfield, but as long as he's swinging a bat four or five times a game, he really doesn't care where he is in the field.

"Ideally, you would like to be in a position and be there for good," Huff said. "Again, as long as I'm hitting, you can find me a place. That's my thing, I love to hit." SENDING OUT PRAYERS: LaMar was excited about the first day of full-squad workouts, saying several times what a great day it was and how excited he was to see everyone. But he did pause to express sadness for not seeing one person.

Piniella missed his fourth consecutive day of workouts while attending to his 86-year-old father, Louis Sr., who remains in the critical care unit of Tampa's St. Joseph's Hospital with a heart condition.

"This is as good as a first day workouts as we've had; the only blemish is Lou is not here," LaMar said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family."

MISCELLANY: Of the 64 players invited to camp, 63 reported. The lone no-show was outfielder Marty Cordova. The Rays said Cordova was absent for "unknown reasons." ... Pitcher Jeff Niemann will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Fossil Park Little League opener on Saturday at 9 a.m. ... The Rays announced gates will open two hours before first pitch at all games at Tropicana Field this season. In the past, gate openings varied with the day of the week. ... The Rays have added a B game to their spring schedule. They will play the Reds on March 4 at 10 a.m. in Sarasota.

"The players are happy to be here. We're better. They know it. We know it. The staff is the same. A lot of the players are the same. The young players give us energy. It was a fun first day." - CHUCK LaMAR, Rays general manager, on the first day of full-squad workouts.

Workout begins at 9:30 a.m. and should last about three hours. Pitchers will throw live batting practice beginning around 11 a.m. Admission and parking at the Naimoli Complex (7901 30th Ave. N) is free.

First-round pick Jeff Niemann was a kinesiology major at Rice University.

[Last modified February 24, 2005, 00:55:11]