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© St. Petersburg Times, published November 21, 2001
Rays fans might have seen the last of outfielder Jose Guillen and pitcher Jeff Wallace.
Tampa Bay removed both from its 40-man roster Tuesday and added pitchers Brandon Backe, Enger Veras and infielder Ramon Soler.
By designating Guillen and Wallace, both arbitration eligible, the Rays have 10 days to determine their future with the organization.
"This gives us time to either trade them, ask waivers on them or release them," general manager Chuck LaMar said.
Guillen, who hit .274 in 41 games with the Rays this season, made $975,000 while the left-handed Wallace, who was 0-3 with a 3.40 ERA as a reliever, made $350,000. Combined they could cost the Rays, who want to keep payroll low, upward of $2-million next season through arbitration.
The 40-man roster is full although free-agent shortstop Chris Gomez is not part of the total.
HELPING HAND: Rays players Nick Bierbrodt, Doug Creek, Toby Hall, Aubrey Huff, Joe Kennedy and Tanyon Sturtze were among those who hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for the needy from St. Vincent de Paul on Tuesday.
About 300 dinners were served during the event sponsored by the Rays of Hope Foundation and Volume Services America at Tropicana Field.
DIFELICE TO CARDINALS: Former Rays catcher Mike DiFelice, released by Arizona in September, agreed to a $750,000, one-year contract. DiFelice came up through the Cardinals organization before being selected by the Rays in the 1998 expansion draft. He was traded to the Diamondbacks on July 26.
OATES HAS SURGERY: Former major-league manager Johnny Oates, 55, had surgery for a brain tumor and was listed in good condition at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Oates, who managed the Rangers and Orioles, was diagnosed Nov. 5 with the most aggressive form of a brain tumor. During the five-hour operation, doctors removed a significant portion of the tumor and implanted a chip to treat the remaining portion during chemotherapy.
GIAMBI COURTSHIP BEGINS: The Yankees began their courting of Jason Giambi when team executives spoke with the agent for the A's first baseman. The Cardinals also are expected to show interest.
MASTERCARD IS SUED: MasterCard International Inc. and a unit of Interpublic Group of Cos. were sued by David Hoch and Joseph Marble of Minnesota, who claim the credit-card association stole the idea for commercials about visiting every major-league ballpark in a van from a documentary they made.
ANGELS: Right-hander Ben Weber had arthroscopic surgery to remove a loose fragment from his right ankle. He is expected to recover.
EXPOS: The team is negotiating with the provincial government agency that operates Olympic Stadium to replace the lease that expires Nov. 30.
METS: The team claimed outfielder Esix Snead off waivers from the Cardinals, and right-hander Rabell (Saul) Rivera from the Twins.
PADRES: Left-hander Rob Ramsay was claimed off waivers from the Mariners.
PIRATES: Reliever Mike Fetters filed a formal trade demand.
TWINS: Lawyers for Major League Baseball and the team asked the Minnesota Supreme Court to reverse a judge's order that forces the team to play next season. The appeal was filed hours after ex-Twins Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, Harmon Killebrew and Bert Blyleven pleaded with an 18-member government task force to keep the Twins in the state. ... Six weeks after saying he wanted to stay with the team, RHP Rick Reed filed a formal trade demand.
RED SOX: First baseman Tony Clark was claimed off waivers.
- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.