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By MARC TOPKIN
© St. Petersburg Times, published July 24, 2001
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Rays flew west Monday night, embarking on a country-crossing, 14-day, 5,871-mile road trip that will be the longest journey in their history. By the time they get back to Tropicana Field Aug. 7, having visited Anaheim, Texas, Baltimore and Chicago, the team is likely to have a different look.
Or a disappointed general manager.
GM Chuck LaMar has been given a mandate from ownership to reduce payroll and has been working to trade as many of the Rays' highest-priced players as he can. With the non-waiver trade deadline a week away, he expects to spend much of the next seven days on the phone.
"We've had extensive discussions with some clubs, and I wouldn't be surprised if we don't hear from every club over the next week or so," LaMar said. "It should be extremely busy."
The most tradeable Ray appears to be pitcher Albie Lopez, a free agent-to-be who could help any contender. Los Angeles, Arizona and Cleveland are believed to be among the most interested.
But trading Lopez, who makes $2.75-million, would have a minimal impact on the Rays' payroll. Significant reductions would come with deals for first baseman Fred McGriff (who makes $6.5-million this season with a $6.75-million option for 2002 and has a no-trade clause), outfielder Greg Vaughn (who makes $8.25-million this season, $19-million over the next two and has a limited no-trade clause), recently resurgent catcher John Flaherty (who makes $3-million this season and $3.25-million the next) or outfielder Ben Grieve (who makes $2.75-million this season and $9.25-million the next two). Lefty reliever Doug Creek and catcher Mike DiFelice also could be had.
"Our goals are obvious to everybody: to move payroll and to get younger," LaMar said. "I'd be disappointed if we don't move payroll before July 31. It's not like we want to, but if we get the opportunity we just have to."
HOME BOY: Pitching at Anaheim tonight will be a homecoming for Rays rookie Joe Kennedy, who grew up in Southern California and expects up to 200 friends and relatives in the stands.
"It's going to be real crazy," Kennedy said.
Since his immediate family came to Toronto for his big-league debut in June, Kennedy plans to spend most of his free time this week running around with his friends.
Plus, the 22-year-old plans to take care of some business. "My agent is in that area so we're gonna spend a lot of time with him, signing contracts and stuff like that for memorabilia," Kennedy said.
WELCOME BACK: Rays third-base coach Terry Collins returns to Anaheim tonight for the first time since resigning as manager near the end of the 1999 season.
"It was a great place," Collins said. "It's a great ballpark, there were good people, we had good teams and good guys. I'm not going back with any hard feelings at all. You get chances and you make the most of them. Some work and some don't. ...
"I'm not bitter about anything; it was my decision. We had two very, very good years there. We went to the final week of the season two straight years fighting for the division; we just didn't win. I'm not disappointed about anything except the last year. But it's the same thing everyone is experiencing everywhere. It's funny, I read the papers about this club and that club have injuries. It's pretty hard for me to feel sorry for them."
WHERE: Edison International Field, Anaheim, Calif.
RADIO: WFLA-AM 970, WLCC-AM 760 (Spanish).
RAYS VS. ANGELS
1998: 4-2 at Anaheim
WEATHER FORECAST: Partly cloudy with a high of 79 degrees, low of 63 degrees
INFO: 1-888-FAN-RAYS
JOE KENNEDY: The 22-year-old left-hander has allowed three runs or fewer in seven of his nine starts but is 1-4 after winning his first two. He held the Angels to one run in six innings Wednesday but lost. He hasn't won a road game since his debut June 6.
JARROD WASHBURN: The 26-year-old lefty has gone 12 starts since last losing May 8 and has lowered his ERA from 5.81 to 3.61. Against the Rays on Thursday, he allowed one earned run over 61/3 innings. He is 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA in five career starts against Tampa Bay.
A 14-day, four-city road trip can be quite a hassle, but Rays manager Hal McRae said the key is to be prepared. "The toughest thing about it is packing," he said. "You have to make sure you pack lots of underwear and lots of socks."