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What to do with Grieve?

BOSTON -- The Rays are actively looking to trade their high-salaried veterans. Yet they dearly want to hang on to their talented young players.

So where does that leave Ben Grieve?

Somewhere in between.

The Rays have to pay the outfielder $4-million this season and $5.25-million in 2003. He had a bad season, hitting .264 with a career-low 11 home runs and 72 RBIs. But he's just 25. And he averaged 24 homers and 93 RBIs for his previous three full seasons.

"He's in between a young player and a veteran," general manager Chuck LaMar said. "But I'll be honest with you, we're not out there shopping Ben Grieve.

"Is he a player we can move? Absolutely. Is there interest in him? Sure. Because everyone knows his ability at home plate and everyone knows he had a tough year last year and maybe they can get him, quote, at the right time. But we are not actively pursuing a trade for Ben Grieve."

LaMar said he expects most of his discussions at baseball's winter meetings to involve young players, and it may be weeks, or even months, before the Rays can make a deal. The most popular rumor concerns a potential deal for controversial Boston outfielder Carl Everett. LaMar said Monday night he had not spoken with Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette and had no meetings planned.

CUBS-JAYS TRADE: The Cubs and Blue Jays made the first -- and thus far only -- trade of the meetings. Looking to rebuild with younger players, the Jays sent shortstop Alex Gonzalez to Chicago for middle reliever Felix Heredia and a player to be named. Gonzalez had three years and $16-million left on his contract.

"When you've got good young players, at some point good young players have got to play," said general manager J.P. Ricciardi, who last week sent closer Billy Koch to Oakland for two prospects. "I think the people of Toronto should be excited."

The Cubs were excited to get Gonzalez, who hit .253 with career-highs in home runs (17), RBIs (76) and runs (79). He will replace Ricky Gutierrez. The Jays plan to play Felipe Lopez at shortstop and try Eric Hinske, acquired from Oakland, at third.

CARDINALS: Jason Isringhausen signed a $27-million, four-year deal with St. Louis, opting to play close to his home rather than take the biggest offer. The Rangers offered nearly $30-million over four years.

INDIANS: Outfielder Juan Gonzalez will consider returning to the club but is looking for a contract of at least three years, agent Jeff Morrad said. He also is "open to playing in New York," Moorad said.

METS: Talks that could bring the Brewers' Jeromy Burnitz to New York for Matt Lawton intensified. Milwaukee has received two offers for Burnitz, one from the Mets and another from an unidentified team, and was poised to decide between the two. ... The club re-signed right-handed pitcher Pete Walker to a minor-league contract, and he will attend the team's major-league spring training camp in February. ... The club is joining the Yankees in keeping ticket prices the same as last season. It's the first time since 1995 that the Mets kept prices the same. The Yankees announced in October that their ticket costs wouldn't go up for the first time since 1990.

RED SOX: Manny Ramirez did not enjoy his first season in Boston because of the cramped, and at times chaotic, atmosphere in the clubhouse, said Moorad, his agent. "He performs best in a relaxed environment," Moorad said. "He prefers a comfortable clubhouse. It was anything but that last season. It's fair to say he's still adjusting to the challenge of playing in Boston. Boston is a challenging market." ... A newspaper in the Dominican Republic reported that Pedro Martinez, who missed several months with a sore shoulder, threw without pain last week and will be ready for spring training. ... The club was said to be close to a deal with former Braves pitcher John Burkett.

YANKEES: With Jason Giambi's signing all but completed, the club is considering trading Orlando Hernandez and two minor-league pitchers to the Angels for All-Star outfielder Darin Erstad. New York close to wrapping up a two-year deal with left-handed pitcher Sterling Hitchcock, and if it signs Hitchcock and David Wells, it would be in position to trade Hernandez. The Angels are asking for minor-league left-handers Alex Graman and Brandon Claussen. Graman is considered expendable, but Claussen is considered the best pitching prospect in the organization. Questions of deferred pay and language are all that remain before Giambi's contract, expected to be worth $118-million to $120-million, is finished. The New York Times reported that Giambi was en route to Tampa for a physical today. ... Pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre decided against retirement and will return for his seventh season. He missed the 2000 playoffs while undergoing treatment for cancer, then rejoined the team last February.

MISCELLANY: The Rays on Thursday will hold their annual Christmas party at Tropicana Field for youngsters from the Suncoast Boys and Girls Clubs and the St. Petersburg YMCA. ... Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, co-MVPs for the World Series champion Diamondbacks, now will share Sports Illustrated's Sportsmen of the Year title. ... Astros shortstop Julio Lugo is scheduled to undergo minor surgery today to remove inflamed tissue from his left knee. He should be ready for spring training, general manager Gerry Hunsicker said. ... The Angels moved infielder Larry Barnes from the 40-man roster to Triple-A Salt Lake.

-- MARC TOPKIN, TIMES WIRES

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