Rays taking patient approach to next move

By MARC TOPKIN, Times Staff Writer
Published December 7, 2007

The Dodgers' Andre Ethier is on the Rays' radar for a lefty bat.
	[AP photo]

NASHVILLE - The end of the winter meetings could be the start of the Rays' push for a left-handing-hitting outfielder.

Executive vice presidentAndrew Friedman flew home Thursday afternoon with a clearer idea of the possibilities, as well as the potential costs, and some ambitious targets.

At the top of the list may be OF Andre Ethier, a 25-year-old whom the Dodgers are now open to trade after their late Wednesday signing of Andruw Jones (two years, $36.2-million). "This makes our quest for starting pitching even more focused and perhaps even more possible," Dodgers general managerNed Colletti said.

With OF Matt Kemp considered more prized, the Dodgers appear willing to offer Ethier in their efforts to upgrade their rotation. They've been rumored to be shooting as high as Orioles LHP Erik Bedard, but if they lower their sights, the Rays could tempt them with younger and cheaper alternatives. Or perhaps relief help (Al Reyes or Dan Wheeler?). And their needs could change if they land Japanese free-agent starter Hiroki Kuroda.

If the Rays have a shot at someone as enticing as Ethier, it makes sense to hold off on less appealing trade (Luke Scott?) and more expensive free-agent (Cliff Floyd, Geoff Jenkins, Darin Erstad) options. They may decide to wait until the Dec. 12 nontender deadline to see what players become available.

"We've got some targets, both tradewise and free-agent-wise, that if things line up for us we're going to be aggressive," Friedman said. "If we start getting into the second tier, obviously what you're trying to balance is the timing and the likelihood of getting someone in the tier above, and that's what we're going through."

The Rays continue to at least browse for other pieces as well, including a veteran catcher (Michael Barrett, despite cost and some questions about his attitude?) and lefty reliever (Jeremy Affeldt? Trever Miller?).

Also, agent Scott Boras said there hasn't been much serious talk about a long-term contract for 1B Carlos Pena, making a one-year deal to avoid arbitration more likely.

RULE 5 REPORT: The Rays made about a $100,000 profit by taking RHP Tim Lahey with the first pick and trading him to the Cubs, then lost reliever Evan Meek as the No. 2 pick to the Pirates.

Meek, acquired in August 2006 for Russell Branyan, was 2-1, 4.30 ERA with one save for Double-A Montgomery but not valued enough to be put on the 40-man roster. The Pirates have to keep him in the majors all year or offer him back.

"Evan is a talented pitcher that on any given night has devastating stuff," Friedman said. "He gained more consistency late in the year, and he's someone that in an ideal world we would love to have protected, but with the depth that we have we made the decision to protect others ahead of him."

The Rays took three players in the Triple-A phase: OF Rashad Eldridge (from Minnesota), RHP Julio Puentes (from Houston) and RHP Jose Mejias (from the Mets).

MISCELLANY: There is growing speculation the Mets may emerge as the favorites to acquire Twins LHP Johan Santana, with an offer built around OF Carlos Gomez. ... Former Astros GM Tim Purpura was named executive VP and COO of St. Petersburg-based Minor League Baseball. ... The Phillies are considering Tadahito Iguchi to play third, and the Marlins may seek Morgan Ensberg.

[Last modified December 6, 2007, 21:44:13]