Mets deal may make a Rays target available

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published January 5, 2006

The trade by the Mets of pitcher Jae Seo to the Dodgers closed one door in the Devil Rays' efforts to trade closer Danys Baez to New York. But it could have nudged open another.

Seo was believed to be part of the negotiations with Tampa Bay. But with the right-handed starter out of the picture, and with the Mets' acquisition from Los Angeles of relievers Duaner Sanchez and Steve Schmoll, New York suddenly has a few extra bullpen parts.

That could free the Mets to deal pitcher Aaron Heilman, the Rays' primary target. The right-hander, whom New York sees as a reliever, has requested a trade if he is not a starter.

Heilman was 5-3 with a 3.17 ERA last season in 53 outings, including seven starts.

Tampa Bay executive vice president Andrew Friedman declined comment on what effect Wednesday's moves might have on the Rays but said he continues to negotiate "on multiple fronts."

"At the end of the day, if we can make a trade that fits in with what we're trying to do going forward, then we're prepared to make it," he added. "If not, we are content with the way the roster is taking form."

There still is a chance the Rays roster could look much different on opening day.

The Red Sox maintain interest in shortstop Julio Lugo. But that deal, which Tampa Bay hopes would net third-base prospect Andy Marte, is apparently stalled in part by Boston's pursuit of Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada.

The Sox also have eyes on centerfielder Joey Gathright. And it is believed the Pirates had interest in rightfielder/DH Aubrey Huff before they signed outfielder Jeromy Burnitz.

O'S MIFFED OVER SNUB: Burnitz finalized his $6.7-million, one-year contract with Pittsburgh after taking a physical, but only after the unhappy Orioles said the outfielder's agent backed out of a two-year deal.

"My feeling is we had an agreement" last week, Orioles vice president of baseball operations Jim Duquette said. "Obviously, the agent didn't feel we did. My personal feeling is it sets a bad precedent when that's allowed to happen."

Burnitz's agent, Howard Simon, said that language regarding a physical resulted in the breakdown of Baltimore's deal.

METS ADD BOONE: The Mets agreed to a minor-league contract with Bret Boone, a move that shows how tenuous Kaz Matsui's hold on second base is. A three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner, Boone's career has plummeted since the 2003 season. But Matsui has had two subpar seasons with the Mets since joining them from Japan.

A-ROD ON BOARD? Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, the AL MVP, is expected to announce this week he will play for the U.S. in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in March, the New York Times reported.

NATIONALS STADIUM: Major League Baseball filed for mediation against the District of Columbia after the city failed to approve a lease for the Nationals' new ballpark by the Dec. 31 deadline.

Information from other news organizations was used in this report.

[Last modified January 5, 2006, 01:18:19]