Sports: Vaughn may be next man purged

General manager Chuck LaMar flew to Tampa Bay on Sunday afternoon, and the 2 1/2 hours on the plane probably was the only time his cell phone will be off until Tuesday's 4 p.m. non-waiver trading deadline.

Having trimmed about $11-million in salary over this season and next by dealing the three veterans, LaMar said Sunday he plans to vigorously continue efforts to reduce payroll.

"We're fortunate to have made some moves already and we'll see what happens before Tuesday afternoon," he said. "Discussions have continued, and if we get the opportunity to move payroll, that's what we'll do. I don't think it will be a situation where what we ask for in return will be the holdup. It will be if there is interest and a fit for one of our veteran players. We're trying to get the best deal we can, but moving finances is by far the most important thing."

The biggest savings would come in trading Vaughn, who makes $8.25-million this season and $19-million over the next two. Several teams have expressed at least some interest, and others still might.

The Twins, Red Sox and Mariners could use his bat immediately, and the Mets are looking to add offense for next season. The Braves might have interest depending on the severity of the knee injury outfielder Brian Jordan suffered Sunday.

Vaughn, whose position is that he signed a contract with the Rays and is honoring it, has taken a "whatever happens, happens" approach.

"Nothing's new," Vaughn said Sunday. "And I don't worry about it."

Vaughn has a limited no-trade clause in his contract, but that is not expected to be much of a problem if the Rays strike a deal to send him to a contender.

Other trade candidates include veteran catcher John Flaherty, who makes $3-million this season and $3.25-million in 2002, and relievers Doug Creek and Esteban Yan, who could get significant raises next season through arbitration.

END OF THE ROAD?: The Rays have to make a decision on Juan Guzman's status by Tuesday, and it could be the end of a two-season stay that includes 1 2/3 innings of big-league pitching and $12-million in salary.

Guzman, recovering from June 2000 shoulder surgery, made six starts in a 30-day rehab assignment that ends today, going 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA and 20 walks and 30 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings.

"He said he feels good and feels strong. No physical complaints," trainer Jamie Reed said. "Now it's a baseball decision; do our people feel he's ready to pitch in the major leagues?"

The Rays can put Guzman, 34, on the active roster (taking the place of another pitcher), put him back on the disabled list or part ways, most likely by activating and releasing him.

REHAB REPORT: Wilson Alvarez started his second rehab assignment of the year Sunday, and it wasn't pretty. Pitching for Double-A Orlando, Alvarez allowed four runs on five hits and a walk in two innings and needed 49 pitches to do so.

SLEEPING IN: The Rays have an off day in Baltimore today, and that's probably a good thing. Following Sunday night's game in Texas, the Rays weren't expected to arrive at their Baltimore hotel until around 4:30 a.m. That is the second time in four days the Rays spent most of the night traveling.

RAYS BITS: Shortstop Chris Gomez hit three home runs in his first 13 at-bats with the team. Before his arrival, Rays shortstops hit three homers in 649 at-bats. ... Gomez tied a team record Saturday with two sacrifice flies. ... Outfielder Jason Conti, acquired from Arizona, went 0-for-4 Saturday in his debut with Triple-A Durham.

You don't say

New shortstop Chris Gomez wasn't being rude. It's just that he hasn't had much to talk about the past few years. After Gomez hit important home runs in two of his first five games with the Rays, team public relations director Rick Vaughn had to track down Gomez and remind him that the media were waiting for him. "I'm sorry," Gomez said. "It's just that I'm not used to talking to reporters."

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