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Rays release five, send down one

By JOHN ROMANO and Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 28, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Devil Rays cut ties with Quinton McCracken and Miguel Cairo on Monday after the players cleared waivers.

McCracken and Cairo were designated for assignment last week, which meant the club had 10 days to trade or release them. When they went unclaimed on waivers, both were released. Jim Morris, Jeff Sparks and Ozzie Timmons also cleared waivers and were released.

Cedrick Bowers, who was 8-9 with a 3.21 ERA in Double-A and Triple-A last season, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Durham.

The Rays still may have interest in re-signing Timmons and Morris to minor-league deals now that they have been removed from the 40-man roster. Morris, the former high school teacher who had a storybook rise to the majors in 1999, is recovering from elbow surgery. Timmons, a Brandon native, hit .300 with 29 homers at Durham last year and hit .341 in 41 at-bats with the Rays.

BLUE JAYS: Gil Patterson, a member of the Yankees when they won the 1977 World Series, was hired as bullpen coach. Patterson, 45, spent the past four seasons with the Diamondbacks organization.

BREWERS: Outfielder Lyle Mouton, 31, was released after splitting the season between Milwaukee and Triple-A Indianapolis.

MARLINS: Infielder Amaury Garcia was traded to the White Sox for a player to be named. ... Right-hander Joe Fontenot was sent to Calgary.

FREE AGENTS: Alex Rodriguez isn't asking for private planes or his own office. While visiting the Rangers, the shortstop wanted to know about their minor-league and scouting organizations. Aside from the expected $20-million a season over 10 years, Rodriguez said his primary interest is in the future of whichever team he signs with. ... Mike Mussina has cut his list to three teams and hopes to decide by Friday where he'll pitch next year. He is the top pitcher on the free-agent market. The Yankees have made signing Mussina their No.1 priority of the off-season. The Red Sox and Indians also have sought Mussina, and the Orioles have tried to re-sign Mussina. The Mets and Cardinals also expressed interest.

OBITUARY: Scout Hugh Alexander, who worked in the major leagues for 61 years, died Saturday in Oklahoma City. He was 83. Alexander, who for many years made his off-season home on a ranch outside Brooksville, began scouting 1938 and retired from the Cubs as a special player consultant in 1998. Alexander's career also included 14 years with the Indians, five with the White Sox, 15 with the Dodgers and 16 with the Phillies. He was twice honored by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

ROCKIES: Pitcher Bobby Chouinard, who pleaded guilty to aggravated assault for abusing his wife, will serve a year in jail in an agreement approved by a judge. Chouinard will serve his time in Colorado in the off-season in four three-month increments.

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