Rumors fly, but so far, many groundless

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published January 8, 2006

It's been quite a week for the rumor mill.

Devil Rays closer Danys Baez was a cinch to be traded to the Mets. Shortstop Julio Lugo was either headed to the Mets, but more likely the Red Sox and moved to centerfield, or was staying with Tampa Bay.

Centerfielder Joey Gathright was either going to Boston, the Nationals or Marlins. The Pirates were interested in rightfielder/DH Aubrey Huff. Deals were imminent, talks were stalled or just simply continuing. And then there is the nuttiness surrounding Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez.

Please, just tell me when a deal is really done.

Tampa Bay's most likely trading partners, for now, seem to be the Red Sox and Mets. Boston needs a centerfielder and leadoff hitter, spots Lugo and Gathright could fill nicely, while New York wants Baez as a setup man.

The Red Sox deal is clearly being held up by Boston's pursuit of Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada, and that apparently is being held up, in part, by the contract demands of Ramirez, who was offered as part of the trade. He also was quoted on espndeportes.com saying he was convinced he will stay in Boston, though that was followed in the Boston Globe by denials he said any such thing.

Spin, speculation, fact? And where does it all leave the Rays?

Executive vice president Andrew Friedman says he is willing to enter the season with the current team. But there are discussions, and trades not done now likely will be revisited this summer.

A good assumption is if the Red Sox can't get Tejada and want Lugo, coveted third-base prospect Andy Marte has to be involved.

If the Mets really want Baez, they better get serious about letting go of pitcher Aaron Heilman. Speculation Tampa Bay is after second baseman Kaz Matsui apparently is overblown. The Phillies and Braves also want Baez.

FREE-AGENT SIGNINGS: Considering the intrigue and drama of the trade market, these are much more likely in the short-term. The Rays are talking to, among others, infielder Ty Wigginton and reliever Shawn Camp. Wigginton batted .258 last season for the Pirates with seven home runs and 25 RBIs in 57 games and has played every infield position except shortstop.

DEADLINES: Odds are the Rays will not re-sign shortstop Alex Gonzalez by today's deadline. If not, they cannot sign him until May 1. More likely, though not a slam dunk, is the signing of Japanese All-Star pitcher Shinji Mori. That must happen by Wednesday or Mori will play in Japan.

BOTTOM LINE: Friedman said any deals will not be made or nixed because of financial consideration.

"While money may have been a factor in the past, our criteria is based solely about who addresses our needs, both short-term and long-term," he said.

The view, though, is clearly on long-term, which is why Tampa Bay's trade talks generally focus on prospects. That makes negotiations more problematic because prospects have no track record.

Some apparently find the approach frustrating.

"According to multiple sources," New York Daily News reporter Bill Madden wrote, "the new GM of the D-Rays, Andrew Friedman, is just as hard to make a deal with as his predecessor Chuck LaMar."

But what some see as difficult, the Rays probably believe sensible.

Consider if the Rays keep Lugo, Baez and Huff and lose them to free agency after 2006 (Lugo has said he will go that route), Tampa Bay likely will be compensated. Depending on a complicated formula, it could get the first-round draft pick of the team that signs them and a supplemental pick between the first and second rounds.

No surprise Tampa Bay probably believes trade compensation has to equal or surpass those parameters. The flip side, of course, is trading for a major-league player gives you immediate help.

RADIO DAYS: Countdown to Opening Day will air weekly on WDAE-AM 620 beginning 8 p.m. Monday. Friedman, manager Joe Maddon and president Matt Silverman are Monday's guests.

DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS: Friedman and Silverman were at the Rose Bowl to cheer on the Longhorns. Friedman grew up in Houston, Silverman in Dallas.

"In Texas you're either an Aggie (Texas A&M) or for Texas," Friedman said. "I grew up a big fan. Then I went to Tulane, which was not a football power, so I kept my allegiance."

Friedman said the game was one to remember.

"How often do those type of games actually meet the hype?" he said. "It was pretty unbelievable."

BOTTOM OF THE BARREL: The minimum major-league salary is increasing $11,000 to $327,000. The 3.5 percent raise is due to a cost of living escalator in the collective-bargaining agreement. The minor-league minimum for players on a 40-man roster for at least the second year or with at least one day of major-league experience: $54,500, an increase of $1,900.

[Last modified January 8, 2006, 00:45:14]