Rays close to adding free-swinging slugger
By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published January 26, 2006
The Devil Rays apparently are close to making their most interesting signing of the offseason.
Tampa Bay could announce today its acquisition of free agent Russell Branyan, a left-handed hitter who has explosive pop in his bat - when he hits the ball.
Branyan, 30, a third baseman whom the Brewers cut loose after acquiring Corey Koskie from the Blue Jays, has 93 home runs, 238 RBIs and a .480 slugging percentage in 536 games with the Brewers, Reds and Indians. He hit 20 home runs in 2001 for Cleveland and 24 combined in 2002 for the Indians and Reds.
But he also has struck out 597 times in 1,464 at-bats, which is why his career batting average is just .232.
Still, Branyan would seem a good gamble. Tampa Bay likely will sign him to a minor-league contract and invite him to its major-league camp, so the upfront financial risk would be minimal. And he is versatile, with ability to play first base, leftfield, rightfield and DH.
Branyan made $800,000 last season and played 85 games for the Brewers while sharing third base and battling a broken finger and shoulder and back problems. He still hit .257 with 12 home runs, 31 RBIs and a .490 slugging percentage.
Caravan dates setThe team's ninth annual winter caravan makes its first appearance Wednesday with three stops in Tampa: 11:30 a.m. at the Chamber of Commerce Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency hotel; 1:45 p.m. at St. Joseph Children's Hospital; and 3:30 p.m. at the Interbay-Glover YMCA, 4411 S Himes Ave.
Manager Joe Maddon, team president Matt Silverman, executive vice president Andrew Friedman, senior vice president Gerry Hunsicker, television play-by-play man Dewayne Staats, radio broadcasters Dave Wills and Andy Freed and mascot Raymond will appear.
Players scheduled to appear at various stops include Rocco Baldelli, Jorge Cantu, Joey Gathright, Seth McClung, Chad Orvella and Doug Waechter.
Thursday: 11:30 a.m. - Sarasota and Manatee Chambers of Commerce Luncheon, Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club; 1:45 p.m. - Manatee Memorial Hospital, 206 Second St. East, Bradenton; 3:30 p.m. - 13th Avenue Community Center, 201 13th Ave. West, Bradenton.
Feb. 14: Noon - MacDill Air Force Base.
Feb. 15: 11:30 a.m. - St. Petersburg/Clearwater Chambers of Commerce Luncheon, Tropicana Field; 1:30 p.m. - All Children's Hospital, 801 6th St. S., St. Petersburg; 3:30 p.m. - Northeast Little League, First Street and 45th Avenue N., St. Petersburg.
For more information, call (727) 825-3242.