Boras urges Rays to be prepared to overspend
By MARC TOPKIN, Times Staff Writer
Published September 23, 2007
The Rays likely aren't going to sign free-agent-to-be Barry Bonds, whose surliness and greater-than-thou attitude wouldn't be a fit in their young impressionable clubhouse, though it would be an interesting issue if, unable to find work elsewhere, he offered to sign a blank contract, a la Andre Dawson with the 1987 Cubs.
And there's probably only a slightly better chance they'll sign Curt Schilling, whose penchant for opening his mouth and creating controversy similarly precedes him, but whose expertise and competitiveness could be a tremendous asset to their young starting staff, and with the added bonus of requiring only a one-year deal, which will make him a hot commodity.
Though principal owner Stuart Sternberg and executive VP Andrew Friedman both promise the payroll, which was a major-league-low $24-million, will rise "considerably," it remains to be seen how many, if any, big-name free agents they add. Especially from what looks to be a weak talent pool, in which the premier starting pitcher could be mediocre Carlos Silva.
With primary needs for one or two proven starters, a couple of experienced relievers, a shortstop and possibly a catcher and/or DH, it's as, or more, likely they'll seek to make trades. Or continue their "value-oriented" approach that successfully netted key players such as 2B Brendan Harris, 3B Akinori Iwamura, 1B Carlos Pena and RHP Al Reyes.
High-powered agent Scott Boras - who had a lot to say about the Rays last week - suggests a different approach: that they spend some big bucks (from their stacks of revenue) to add key veterans, especially pitchers.
"It's a hard dynamic when you're talking about 68-70 wins every year," Boras said. "They have a great nucleus of young players but they need to bring in, as with every team that has success, veteran pitching to complement what they have.
"I represent a lot of pitchers, and the hardest thing for them to go to Tampa (Bay) is that you're going to have to overpay them. It's not a winning situation, and it's a difficult place to pitch.
"On the other hand, I got a call from the Detroit owner four years ago after they had 119 losses and they signed three of my guys (Magglio Ordonez, Pudge Rodriguez and Kenny Rogers). By their standards, they probably felt they overpaid to do it. And now they're wearing rings. So it can be done."
UNIFORM ISSUES: The navy pullover tops (and the light-blue trimmed caps) that are part of the new ensemble will be used for spring training and batting practice, and occasionally as an alternate look. Technically there is no "alternate" jersey. ... Uniwatchblog.com and espn.com's Paul Lukas calls the new look "the blandest, least dynamic excuse for a baseball uniform since the Brewers based their design on a middlebrow sitcom" and "not good, not bad, just a stupefyingly characterless monument to tedium, so boring it almost defies critique." ... Taking "Tampa Bay" off the road jerseys is causing worries among those who question the Sternberg group's commitment to the area. ... Early results in the tampabay.com poll strongly favor the current look over the new one. ... One quick observation: the sunburst looks like the compass on the Mariners uniforms.
RAYS RUMBLINGS: First-base coach George Hendrick is considering retirement in deciding, if given the opportunity, whether he wants to return. All coaches' contracts are up at the end of the season; there is chatter of staff realignment. ... ESPN.com's Jayson Stark asks, "How good can the Devil Rays be once their next wave of prospects (Evan Longoria, Reid Brignac, Jeff Niemann, David Price) arrives?" ... A sighting to make Rays officials shiver: Scott Kazmir walking into Angel Stadium with Boras.