By MARC TOPKIN, Times Staff Writer
Published December 4, 2005
ST. PETERSBURG - It seems like a simple question for early December, but it's actually very hard to say what the Devil Rays lineup will look like.
Dramatic change may be coming soon. The Rays have received trade inquiries on five key players - closer Danys Baez , shortstop Julio Lugo , outfielder Joey Gathright , catcher Toby Hall and outfielder/infielder Aubrey Huff . Whether they get what they want, and what they think each is worth, and whether they'd be willing to make that many trades will determine what names new manager Joe Maddon can doodle with.
If the Rays don't make any deals, Huff likely would open the season at first, with either Jonny Gomes in rightfield and Gathright (who also provides insurance if Rocco Baldelli isn't ready) at DH, or - less likely - with Delmon Young in right and Gomes at DH. The big hole is at third base, where Nick Green is atop the depth chart, but unlikely to be there opening day.
The order would be something like this: Lugo, SS; Carl Crawford , LF; Jorge Cantu , 2B; Huff, 1B; Gomes, RF; Baldelli, CF; Hall, C; Green, 3B; Gathright, DH. If Young makes the team, he'd start down in the order, maybe seventh.
The rotation is likely to include Scott Kazmir , Seth McClung , Mark Hendrickson , Doug Waechter and Casey Fossum , with Dewon Brazelton a question. Chad Orvella would join Baez in the bullpen, with other spots open.
Any trade, though, would have significant impact. If Lugo goes, they're more likely to sign a veteran, even bringing back Alex Gonzalez , before rushing B.J. Upton , who appears headed back to Triple A to keep working. If Huff goes, they'll need another left-handed hitter to join Crawford and Gathright.
So far, all the Rays have done is claim a potential backup catcher, Mike Rose , and sign a middle reliever, Chad Harville (for $525,000). It would be surprising if they don't do more soon.
RAYS RUMBLINGS: Another sign the Rays are determined to break with the past - the just-printed 2005 postseason media guide is instead labeled the 2006 preseason guide. Also, neither Huff nor Baez is pictured on the cover; Crawford, Gomes, Kazmir and Cantu are. ... Dewayne Staats ' name was mentioned for a radio opening in Hous-ton, but it's expected a new TV deal with the Rays will be announced soon. ... Jimy Williams will be some help to Upton, but the Rays are pursuing Ozzie Smith as another instructor. ... The soon-to-be-released spring schedule has the Rays opening March 2 in Dunedin, playing their home opener March 3 against the Jays and closing April 1 against the Tigers, likely at Tropicana Field. ... Some reorganization is coming, but special assistant Tim Wilken will again run the amateur draft.
