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LaMar says cuts in payroll won't cut Rays' productivity

© St. Petersburg Times
published December 30, 2001

Cutting major-league payroll is not the only way the Rays are trying to cut costs.

The team figures to save more than $1-million through some restructuring, reorganizing and reprioritizing of the scouting and player development departments.

And general manager Chuck LaMar says they'll be better for it.

"After six years in this organization it was definitely time to re-evaluate and maximize our expenditures the best we can, and we think we've done that," LaMar said. "There has been some restructuring going on in scouting and player development, but we think we'll have as strong a staff as we've ever had going into the 2002 season and it will ensure that we'll continue to sign the quality young players that the fans of Tampa Bay got to see last year."

The changes came about in different ways:

They have not replaced several officials who left the team, including special assistant Bill Livesey, senior adviser Frank Howard, assistant scouting director Sherard Clinkscales, scouting and player development assistant Tony Saunders and national cross-checker Jack Gillis.

They made some slight changes in the way they do business, reducing their national amateur scouting staff from 16 to 15 by redrawing the assigned territories and using two national cross-checkers instead of three. They also let go most part-time scouts.

While they will maintain their training complex in the Dominican Republic and continue to scout and hold tryout camps on the island, they no longer will field a Dominican Summer League team.

Rather than replace advance scout Matt Keough (who went to Oakland), the Rays plan to save on salary and travel expense by contracting with the Inside Edge computerized scouting service. (The Twins and Royals did the same thing last season.)

Other changes may be forthcoming. While Cam Bonifay was hired to run the minor-league department, the Rays may go without a field coordinator, who normally travels among the clubs to ensure consistent instruction.

"This organization saved a significant amount of money in the restructuring," LaMar said. "Not only was it a healthy exercise, but I think we'll have our most productive staff ever going into the 2002 season."

AMAZIN' MAKEOVER: With the additions of Robbie Alomar, Mo Vaughn, Roger Cedeno (and possibly Juan Gonzalez) to a lineup that already includes Mike Piazza and Edgardo Alfonzo, the Mets undoubtedly will improve an offense that produced a major-league low 642 runs last season.

"We've become dramatically better," manager Bobby Valentine said.

They still have work to do. They need to either sign Gonzalez or trade for a corner outfielder, unload Todd Zeile and his $6-million salary and add a right-handed starter, perhaps reacquiring Rick Reed for Glendon Rusch.

REKAR A ROYAL: Released by the Rays because of a 3-13 record and a salary that likely would have reached $1.75-million through arbitration, Bryan Rekar signed a minor-league deal with the Royals with the chance to compete for a spot in the rotation.

GEORGE'S WORLD: The Yankees, under terms of their new radio deal, will get $9-million in rights fees for the 2002 season. That's more than five teams -- the Reds, Twins, Royals, Brewers and Expos -- received in total broadcast revenues in 2001. Overall the Yankees are expected to rake in $61-million in broadcast bucks.

DOING THE LIMBO: Their team may be folded, but several Twins already are working out in Fort Myers. "We have to take care of ourselves," first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz said. "We're going to play -- it's just a matter of when and where. We have to be ready for that first day in spring training, no matter what the circumstances are." ... If the team survives, Ron Gardenhire likely will manage.

MISCELLANY: Richie Hebner is likely to join the Rays' minor-league coaching staff. ... The Rockies' search for a third baseman has taken them to John Valentin and Chris Stynes. ... Billy Beane will be mentioned in Boston as a potential replacement if general manager Dan Duquette is sent packing by new ownership.

-- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.

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