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By MARC TOPKIN
© St. Petersburg Times, published December 8, 2000
ST. PETERSBURG -- What a difference a year -- and some $25-million -- can make.
Devil Rays officials went to the 1999 winter meetings primed to spend money to significantly upgrade their last-place team. They took home prized acquisitions Greg Vaughn and Vinny Castilla, and later added veterans Gerald Williams, Juan Guzman and Steve Trachsel in bumping their payroll from $37-million to about $62-million. But, for a combination of reasons, they didn't win any more games or draw any more fans than they did the year before.
As a result, team executives, though just as determined to improve the team this off-season, arrive in Dallas tonight without additional money to spend -- and with a significantly different game plan.
"Last year we knew we were going to be aggressive. ... We earmarked several players, and we went after them," general manager Chuck LaMar said. "You were the aggressor. Now it's more of a wait-and-see situation. You talk to teams and try to work out different things. They may be involved in trying to sign a free agent and can't trade unless they sign the free agent. It will be a much slower process this year because we're not going out to increase the payroll."
LaMar is convinced the Rays will be better in 2001 simply by having all their key players healthy. But he also is hoping to improve without significantly adding to a payroll likely to be in the $55-million to $57-million range.
The priority is a frontline outfielder to bolster the league's worst offense and help defensively, likely in rightfield. The Rays also would like to add an experienced reliever to fill a void left by the late-season trades of Mark Guthrie, Jim Mecir and Rick White.
It's challenging when pedestrian players are getting $2-million and $3-million-a-year contracts, LaMar said. "But the bottom line is you have to get the job done."
Creativity will be key. If the Rays are to make a significant move during these five-day meetings, it probably would come via trade. But if they are going to be get an established player who makes any kind of salary, they likely would trade veteran big-leaguers who make a like amount. (Plus, LaMar said, they want to keep promising prospects.)
For example, there has been talk that Kansas City might trade Johnny Damon, who likely will get around $7-million a year in arbitration, and that Atlanta is looking to move Brian Jordan, who will make $8.5-million (though the Braves might pay part of his salary).
But to take on those salaries, the Rays might be forced to trade Roberto Hernandez, who makes $6-million; or Castilla, who is owed $7-million but will be hard to trade coming off a bad year; or to package several mid-salaried veterans.
"If we're going to make a move over the next week, more than likely it would be through a trade than a free-agent signing," LaMar said. "Whether that happens or not depends on the kinds of offers we have. Because of the significant increase in payroll last year, I don't see us spending a tremendous amount of money in the free agent market."
What the Rays also could do is be patient. Once the top-drawer free agents sign and the major trades are made, they may strike some more cost-effective short-term deals with players who essentially slipped through the cracks. Outfielder Derek Bell, who was not re-signed by the Mets, could be a possibility. So, too, could Ron Gant.
"I wouldn't be surprised if we leave the winter meetings without making any kind of move," LaMar said. "The longer this market goes, the better opportunity we'll have to make a trade or sign a lower-salaried free agent."
NEW YORK -- Pitcher Dwight Gooden and infielder Luis Sojo are staying with the Yankees, but David Cone didn't want to be the fifth starter and turned down the chance to remain with the World Series champions. New York will turn to Cuban defector Adrian Hernandez or a young pitcher. Gooden agreed to a minor-league deal, and Sojo agreed to a $500,000, one-year contract. Gooden, who could be a right-handed setup man or get spot starts, will get $500,000 if he is in the majors.
SAN DIEGO -- Tony Gwynn will play a 20th season with the Padres. A free agent for the first time, Gwynn, 40, accepted an incentive-laden $2-million, one-year contract. "Ultimately, the thing that kept me here was the fact that I'm happy here," he said.
BLUE JAYS: Former Rays Dave Martinez and Steve Trachsel were not offered arbitration.
BRAVES: Atlanta did not offer arbitration to Andres Galarraga, apparently ending his career in Atlanta. Arbitration was offered to Andy Ashby, Terry Mulholland, John Burkett, Scott Kamieniecki, Wally Joyner and Bobby Bonilla.
CUBS: Chicago declined to offer free-agent first baseman Mark Grace arbitration, ending his 13-year run with the team. Grace is expected to reach a deal with the Diamondbacks.
EXPOS: Catcher Lenny Webster pleaded guilty to importing a handgun into Canada and was sentenced to three months' probation.
INDIANS: Cleveland offered arbitration to free-agent outfielder Manny Ramirez, catcher Sandy Alomar and first baseman David Segui. Arbitration was not offered to free agent right-hander Jason Bere.
MARINERS: Jay Buhner, expected to back up free agent Ichiro Suzuki, agreed to a $1.85-million, one-year contract.
RANGERS: John Wetteland, the team's career saves leader, was not offered arbitration and might retire because of a back problem.
REDS: Cincinnati offered arbitration to reliever Mark Wohlers but not to catcher Benito Santiago.
RED SOX: Former Pittsburgh Penguins owner Roger Marino applied to bid for the team.
TIGERS: Detroit offered outfielder Juan Gonzalez arbitration.
WHITE SOX: Chicago agreed to terms with pitcher Cal Eldred on a one-year, $1-million contract and offered arbitration to Charles Johnson and Harold Baines.
- Information from Times wires was used in this report.