'A little kismet' and a lot of hope
By MARC TOPKIN, Times Staff Writer
Published November 11, 2007
ST. PETERSBURG - So, the Rays' offseason shopping list turns out to be a bit more extensive than a stopgap shortstop and some serviceable relievers.
With the Times' report Friday that the team has plans for a splashy new waterfront home at the site of Al Lang Field, following the unveiling of the new uniforms, name and colors, it has become clear there's a legitimate effort for a new Ray in Tampa Bay.
Team officials were plotting to announce the stadium deal next month, pitching it to show off the cool features - the sail-like canopy could be iconic, the rightfield splash landing an identity - while stressing a creative financing plan that won't require any new taxpayer funding and maintains baseball at the state's most historic site.
Whether they can put it all together to get necessary approvals and pull it off to open the new park in 2012 will be an ongoing story.
But with the stadium plan, the new image and the young talent they've amassed, team officials are giddy about the potential of long-awaited success.
At Thursday's uniform unveiling, principal owner Stuart Sternberg said "sometimes things happen to come together; it's a little kismet." But this is no coincidence, as the Rays seek to evolve on all fronts from being the butt of jokes to a truly professional and successful franchise.
"Our needle is pointing up, and pointing up 90 degrees," Sternberg said. "I don't know another organization in Major League Baseball that has the optimism and forward progress that we're expecting to have."
ROSTER MOVES: The Rays seem comfortable enough with Dioner Navarro and Shawn Riggans behind the plate to let Josh Paul go as a free agent. ... Reinstating Riggans, Rocco Baldelli and Ben Zobrist from the 60-day DL this week will fill out the 40-man roster, but they'll need room to add C John Jaso and other Rule 5 draft-eligible prospects such as OFs Fernando Perez and Jason Pridie and Ps Nick Debarr, James Houser and Evan Meek by the Nov. 20 deadline.
RAYS RUMBLINGS: ESPN's Peter Gammons writes that "baseball people" who saw 3B prospect Evan Longoria in the fall league insist he'll hit 30-plus homers next season. ... With the free agent market opening at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, LHP Ron Mahay is among relievers of interest. ... So what do the Rays call their proposed version of McCovey Cove when homers land in the water: Boggs' Bay? McGriff's Marsh? A Sorrento Splash? ... Among the expenses for the well-done uniform launch - the private plane required by Kevin Costner. ... James Shields flew from his Hawaii honeymoon to LAX, drove overnight to his Vegas home then caught a flight to Tampa for the post-uniform unveiling events. ... Agent Scott Boras is likely to prefer no more than a two-year deal for 1B Carlos Pena so as not to give up any free agent seasons. ... In early sales, VP Mark Fernandez says buyers are "gravitating toward the home jersey." ... There's interest in re-signing RHP Doug Waechter, who is a minor-league free agent after working his way back from shoulder surgery. ... If the Reds leave their Sarasota spring home, the Rays lose a nearby spring opponent to their new Port Charlotte camp but gain a bigger market share. And a better shot at bringing their Florida State League team to Charlotte.
CHARITY CASES: B.J. Upton and brother Justin of the D-backs raised $40,000 for at-risk kids with a golf tournament and auction in their Chesapeake, Va., hometown. ... Jonny Gomes headed back to California Friday for the 400-kid Camp for a Cure, which raises money for cancer research.