New-look Huff sets his sights on third

The move might add a bat to Devil Rays lineup, but what happens to Sean Burroughs?

By MARC TOPKIN
Published February 21, 2006

	[Times photo: Dirk Shadd]
	Aubrey Huff arrived in camp with an improved attitude and a new commitment to spring workouts.

ST. PETERSBURG - Aubrey Huff reported Monday to what could be his last spring training with the Devil Rays with lots of new things to talk about - a now-positive attitude about the franchise, a more serious approach to spring workouts and an extensive fitness regimen that has had noticeable results.

But Huff also had some old business to discuss, telling manager Joe Maddon he is interested in returning to his former position, third base.

"I'd like to go out there and prove I can play there," Huff said. "I played third all through college and the minors so I don't think this would be much different, but I just haven't had much chance to do so here without getting switched around."

As a result of their meeting, Maddon said Huff will get his "primary" work during the spring at third, which he played somewhat regularly and relatively decently during parts of the 2000, 2001 and 2004 seasons, but will also spend time at first base and rightfield, where he was expected to start this season. He also is likely to be used at DH.

Maddon said it was premature to project whether or how often Huff could play third during the regular season until he sees him there, but he raved about Huff's willingness to change positions.

"He really likes third base; that's what he told me," Maddon said. "But he's okay everywhere. He really is.

"His comment was that he'll do what's best for the team. My God, what else can I ask for? That was beautiful."

Huff said he figured that by moving to third, the Rays would have more options to get their other offensively talented outfielders in the lineup. "We've got a bunch of power/speed guys and maybe this way we can get everyone in," Huff said."I'll do whatever it takes."

If Huff moves to third, it could open an outfield or DH spot for speedster Joey Gathright, top prospect Delmon Young, non-roster veteran Russ Branyan or someone else, with Jonny Gomes filling the other spot, though it could also block Sean Burroughs, the third baseman acquired from San Diego, from playing regularly.

Huff could benefit, too, as he is in the last year of his contract and would be much more valuable on the free-agent market as a left-handed-hitting third baseman with 30-homer/100 RBI power than as an outfielder.

Huff said that regardless of position, he is upbeat about playing this season - or at least starting this season - with the Rays, a dramatically new approach given that he has been among the more vocal critics of the organization's constant struggles.

"The new ownership this year is a big positive; that's the first step in the right direction," Huff said.

"The young players here are only going to get better. I feel like the old man here at 29 years old. The talent here is just unbelievable for guys 24 and under.

"With this good a group of young players, I don't see how we can't be really good in the future."

Huff, who makes a team-high $6.75-million this season, said he'd like to stick around - "after as much as I went through with all the losing I'd love to be part of a winner here" - but admitted there is "probably not" much chance of the Rays re-signing him. He also said he will no longer complain - or even talk about - trade rumors "until something happens."

Since signing a three-year, $14.5-million contract after a stellar 2003 season in which he hit .311 with 34 homers and 107 RBIs, Huff's numbers have been in decline, dropping to .297/29/104 in 2004 and .261/22/92 last season.

He spent four hours a day four days a week with personal trainer Josh Cooper working to improve his quickness, speed and fitness and was in markedly better shape.

He plans to make more of an effort in spring training to get his timing down, hoping to avoid the typical slow starts that mar his seasons, and is determined to return to an opposite-field approach at the plate, admitting he became too concerned with trying to pull the ball.

"I want to get back to where I was in '03 and '04; last year was a down year, an off year," he said. "This year the supporting cast is the best lineup I've had to hit around. Gomes and (Jorge) Cantu came up last year and added some pop to our lineup. ... The protection is there. Mentally I'm ready to go and physically I'm ready to go. So it's going to be a big year."

Whether they benefit from more wins or an increased trade value, the Rays hope so, too.

"Joe is looking for him to step up and be a leader in the clubhouse and on the field," executive vice president Andrew Friedman said.

"We think '05 was an anomaly and we're looking forward to Aubrey reasserting himself as one of the best left-handed hitters in the league."

[Last modified February 21, 2006, 00:43:09]