Rate the Rays offseason so far

It's been quiet on the Rays front the past couple days, but the team says its still working to fill the existing holes through the free-agent and trade markets.

"We expect to be just as busy as we've been the last couple of months," Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said. "I'm not sure we'll have as many moves, but we'll be working just as aggressively to continue to not only improve our projected 25-man roster but also our organizational depth."

As for needs, the team would still like to add a super-utility infielder and left-handed reliever. Looking back at the team's offseason so far, the Rays have been active. They restructured the atmosphere of the clubhouse by dealing Delmon Young and Elijah Dukes. In trading Young, they received a young pitcher in Matt Garza who they believe can slot into their rotation for years to come, added a starting shortstop. They added a veteran closer in Troy Percival, and got the left-handed bat in Cliff Floyd. And in the process the team has added payroll.

So what does the readership think? How would you rate the Rays offseason moves, and how does much of a difference will it make in terms of wins and losses in 2008 and beyond?

Sternberg: Plan not a ploy to leave town

It's been one of the good conspiracy theories floating around the Internet: The Tampa Bay Rays' plan to build a new $450-million waterfront stadium is all a ploy to skip town. Once the voters turn the team down, the story goes, the Rays will have all the ammunition they need to head for Tampa, Orlando or points elsewhere. We put the question to Rays principal owner Stu Sternberg when we caught him on the phone today.

"It’s not the case. And I think, given the amount of time, energy, effort, resources, money and everything else, it would be pretty Machiavellian of us," Sternberg said.

Sternberg also addressed concerns that for months the stadium planning process was kept secret.

"I understand the concerns on how things were going on behind the scenes," Sternberg said. "But if some of this groundwork wasn’t done, we’d be sitting here now with a bunch of big question marks and no answers. The last thing I want to say is 'I don’t know' and then go ahead and put forth a $1-billion plan."

- Aaron Sharockman, Times Staff Writer

Floyd signed, sealed and delivered

As expected, the Rays have signed free-agent outfielder Cliff Floyd to a one-year deal with a club option for 2009.

Floyd will make $2.75 million this season, with $2 million in incentives. If the team picks up his option in 2009, Floyd will make his 2008 salary (between $2.75  million and $4.75 million, based on the 2008 incentives, which are likely appearance based), with the opportunity to make another $2 million in incentives, so he could make up to $6.75 milion in '09. The Rays have a $250,000 buyout for 2009.

Floyd gives the Rays a left-handed bat who can help fill the team's vacant rightfield hole and also slide into the DH role along with Jonny Gomes and Rocco Baldelli. A 15-year major league veteran, he has spent most of his career in the National League. He hit .316 in 47 games for the Red Sox in 2003 after Boston acquired him at the trade deadline.

Floyd, however, owns a .382 career batting average (29-for-76) at Tropicana Field, tied for the second best average all-time among players with at least 75 at bats. Most of those at bats came as a member of the Marlins.

Floyd will also add a veteran leadership presence to the young Rays clubhouse as a member of three playoff teams, including the 1997 World Champion Marlins. The '06 Mets and '07 Cubs were the other teams Floyd played for that went to the playoffs.

Conference calls with Floyd and executive VP Andrew Friedman are coming up at 2:30.

Rays: Floyd not on the dotted line ... yet.

Despite an Associated Press report that says the Rays have reached a "preliminary agreement" on a one-year contract with free-agent outfielder Cliff Floyd, but the team said this afternoon that that negotiations are ongoing.

"Nothing is signed," Rays spokeman Rick Vaughn said.

However, it's still believed the deal -- which would pay Floyd $3 million and include a team option for 2009 -- is close, and that it could be announced early next week. Sometimes with older players -- Floyd is 35 -- the finer details can get sticky.

Multiple calls and emails to Sam and Seth Levinson, Floyd's agents, after the past three days have gone unreturned.

Radio broadcaster Freed to stay

Radio broadcaster Andy Freed said Friday morning he will stay with the Rays and withdrew from consideration for a job with the Mets.
Freed was a strong candidate - the leading candidate, according to some reports - for the vacancy in New York but decided he'd prefer for professional and family reasons to stay put, and continue working with partner Dave Wills.
"I feel like my future is with the Rays,'' Freed said. "I love the people I work for, I love the person I work with, I feel like I fit here. I'm happy with the Rays.''

Floyd deal not done, but getting closer

The Rays moved closer to signing free-agent outfielder Cliff Floyd to a one-year contract with a club option for 2009. Internet reports emerged Thursday that a deal had been completed, but the Rays said some details still have to be worked out.

“We are still working through some of the finer points but we are optimistic we will have a positive announcement early next week,” Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said Thursday evening.

Floyd, who hit .284 with nine homers and 45 RBIs in 282 at bats last season with the Cubs, would give the Rays a much-needed left-handed outfield bat.

Rays statement on Mitchell report

The Rays just issued this statement on the Mitchell report:

"Upholding the integrity of the game is paramount to the Tampa Bay Rays. We are supportive of Senator Mitchell's recommendations, and we will work in concert with the Office of the Commissioner to help implement them."

Few Rays connections in Mitchell Report

Although there are big names in the Mitchell report released today, no current Rays players were named in the investigation and there appear to be few connections to the Rays organization.

Jose Canseco is mentioned prominantly. Former Rays outfielder Jose Guillen is mentioned in the report to have purchased human growth hormone. Short-time former Rays like John Rocker, Jim Parque, Tim Laker and Adam Piatt are also mentioned in the report.

Piatt, who played parts of four seasons with Oakland before he was released and claimed by the Rays in Aug. 2003 (He played just 14 games with Tampa Bay, hitting .188), plays an interesting role in the report.

He purchased performance-enhancing drugs, including human growth hormone, from Kirk Radomski and used them during the 2002 and 2003 offseasons. Piatt's locker was next to Miguel Tejada's when the two played in Oakland and Piatt told the investigation he introduced the All-Star shortstop to Radomski, from whom Tejada purchased performance enhancing drugs through. Piatt served as an intermediary. Tejada wrote checks of $3,100 and $3,200 directly to Piatt in March, 2003, who paid Radomski.

Pitchers Ryan Franklin and Bart Miadich, who were boths in Rays spring training this past season, as well as Denny Neagle, who signed with the Rays in 2005 but never pitched for them, are mentioned in the report as well.

Who else is included in the Mitchell Report?

Here is a list of some of the former and current major-league baseball players named in George Mitchell's report:

• Chad Allen
• Manny Alexander
• Rick Ankiel
• Mike Bell
• David Bell
• Gary Bennett Jr.
• Marvin Bernard
• Larry Bigbie
• Barry Bonds
• Kevin Brown
• Paul Byrd
• Ken Caminiti
• Jose Canseco
• Mark Carreon
• Jason Christiansen
• Howie Clark
• Roger Clemens
• Jack Cust
• Brendan Donnelly
• Lenny Dykstra
• Bobby Estalella
• Matt Franco
• Ryan Franklin
• Eric Gagne
• Jason Giambi
• Jeremi Giambi
• Jay Gibbons
• Troy Glaus
• Jason Grimsley
• Jose Guillen
• Jerry Hairston Jr.
• Matt Herges
• Phil Hiatt
• Glenallen Hill
• Darren Holmes
• Todd Hundley
• David Justice
• Chuck Knoblauch
• Tim Laker
• Mike Lansing
• Paul Lo Duca
• Nook Logan
• Josias Manzanillo
• Gary Matthews Jr.
• Cody McKay
• Kent Mercker
• Bart Miadich
• Hal Morris
• David Naulty
• Denny Neagle
• Jim Parque
• Andy Pettitte
• Adam Piatt
• Todd Pratt
• Stephen Randolph
• Adam Riggs
• Brian Roberts
• John Rocker
• F.P. Santangelo
• Benito Santiago
• Gary Scheffield
• Scott Schoeneweis
• David Segui
• Mike Stanton
• Miguel Tejada
• Ismael Valdez
• Mo Vaugn
• Randy Velarde
• Ron Villone
• Fernando Vina
• Rondell White
• Todd Williams
• Jeff Williams
• Matt Williams
• Steve Woodard
• Kevin Young
• Gregg Zaun

Rays in the Mitchell Report

Several former members of the Rays organization appear in the Mitchell Report. Here are some of the players, along with the page of the report on which they appear:

• Tim Laker (catcher, 2005), page 207
• Adam Piatt (outfielder, 2003), page 247
• Jim Parque (pitcher, 2003), page 271
• John Rocker (pitcher 2003), page 302
• Jose Canseco (outfielder/DH, 1999-2000), pages 216-218

Relievers Glover and Balfour locked in

The Rays have signed right-handed relievers Gary Glover and Grant Balfour to one-year deals, avoiding arbitration with both players.

Glover will earn $1.075 million with $25,000 in incentives. Balfour signed for $500,000.

Glover, a non-roster invitee last spring, appeared in a team-high 67 games last season and led relievers in wins (six) and inninfs pitched (77 1/3) and provide stability to a patchwork bullpen. Balfour also pitched in the late innings after the Rays acquired him on July 27 for Seth McClung.

Just four arbitration-eligible players -- 1B Carlos Pena, LHP Scott Kazmir, OF Jonny Gomes and RHP Dan Wheeler -- remain unsigned.

What should happen to the guilty?

Here's the next question in the Major League Baseball steroid saga: What should happen to those players found to be using steroids during their career?

Should they be banned from baseball's Hall of Fame? Should their names be wiped from the record books? And should different penalties be applied to players who used steroids before MLB banned them?

Or should nothing happen at all?

Sound off with your opinion: What should happen to players who used steroids?

Clemens, Pettitte on steroid list, AP says

UPDATE: Seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens and Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte were the first names to emerge today from the Mitchell report. Read more here.

ESPN.com is reporting Thursday that information about Roger Clemens will be on the Mitchell Report, which investigated steroid use in Major League Baseball. The report is due for release at 2 p.m. Click here to read the ESPN story.

ESPN did not name the source.

Likewise, The Bergen (N.J.) Record on its website reports that "several" prominent Yankees will be on the Mitchell list.

No non-tenders for Rays

It's still nearly three hours from the midnight non-tender deadline, but the Rays have tendered contracts to all of their arbitration eligible players.

That includes reliever Grant Balfour, who is in his first season of arbitration eligiblity and will still come at a relatively low cost.

Now the Rays wait for the list of non-tendered players to come out at midnight and see if there are any players that might fit their needs, but don't hold your breath that any action will take place.

Rays in talks with Floyd

The Rays are in serious discussions to sign free-agent OF Cliff Floyd, a source familiar with the negotiations confirmed this evening.

Tampa Bay, seeking a left-handed bat who can play outfield as well as be plugged into the DH spot, could sign Floyd by this weekend.

The crop of left-handed hitting outfielders shrunk earlier today when Astros OF Luke Scott, another Rays target, was one of five players traded to Baltimore in exchange for All-Star SS Miguel Tejada.

The 35-year-old Floyd, who became a free agent in November when the Cubs declined his $5 million option for 2008, has a history of injury problems and has played in more than 113 games just one of his past five seasons. But the Rays believe including him in a three-pronged RF/DH platoon with Jonny Gomes and Rocco Baldelli, would limit his wear and he can remain healthy. Floyd has spent most of his 13-year career in the NL, so he's been forced to play the field. 

He hit a respectable .284 last season in 108 games with the Cubs, and also had a .373 on-base percentage, showing he has the plate discipline that the Rays are looking for. He would also add a veteran presence and provide leadership to a young Tampa Bay clubhouse, much like recent addition Troy Percival.

Rays name minor league staffs

The Rays named their minor league on-field staffs and coordinators for the 2008 season today. There aren’t many new faces in the minor league system, but former Rays third baseman Jared Sandberg will join the organization and serve as a coach for the Rays' short-season Class A team  in Hudson Valley as part of a new staff there.

Matt Quatraro, who spent the past two seasons managing Hudson Valley and was the first Rays minor leaguer to join the organization’s coaching ranks in 2004, will manage Class A Columbus. Tampa native and former Rays outfielder Ozzie Timmons, who coached at Hudson Valley last season, will join Quatraro in Columbus.

Joe Alvarez, formerly a hitting coach in the Phillies organization, will be the new manager at Hudson Valley.

Joe Morrison, who managed Columbusto a South Atlantic League title, will manager the Rays’ high-Class A entry in Vero Beachand Joe Szekely, who managed Vero last season, will manager the Rays’ rookie league team in Princeton, W.V.

Here are the staffs and coordinators for next season:

Minor League Coordinators

Field Coordinator: Jim Hoff

Pitching Coordinator: Dick Bosman

Hitting Coordinator: Steve Livesey

Outfield/Baserunning Coordinator: Skeeter Barnes

Catching Coordinator: Jamie Nelson

Rehabilitation and Athletic Training Coordinator: Nick Paparesta

Assistant Athletic Training Coordinator: Chris Tomashoff

Strength and Conditioning Coordinator: Trung Cao

Equipment Manager: Tim McKechney

Durham

Bulls (Triple-A)

Manager Charlie Montoyo

Pitching Coach Xavier Hernandez

Coach Gary Gaetti

Trainer Mark Vinson

Montgomery

Biscuits (Double-A)

Manager Billy Gardner, Jr.

Pitching Coach Neil Allen

Coach Ben Oglivie

Trainer Jimmy Southard

Vero Beach

Devil Rays (High Class A)

Manager Jim Morrison

Pitching Coach R.C. Lichtenstein

Coach Brady Williams

Trainer Joel Smith

Columbus

Catfish (Low Class A)

Manager Matt Quatraro

Pitching Coach Bill Moloney

Coach Ozzie Timmons

Trainer Nick Medina

Hudson

 

Valley

Renegades (Short Season Class A)

Manager Joe Alvarez

Pitching Coach Rafael Montalvo

Coach Jared Sandberg

Coach Michael Johns

Trainer Jeff Dill

Princeton

Devil Rays (Rookie)

Manager Joe Szekely

Pitching Coach Marty DeMerritt

Coach Rafael Deleon

Coach Hector Torres

Trainer TBD

Rays answer your questions

We'd like to thank Rays president Matt Silverman and senior VP Michael Kalt for joining us here today and taking your questions. We received more than 50 questions in advance, with the most common topics concerning weather and parking. Some were on issues that have been covered, such as whether the Grand Prix race can continue if the new stadium is built (The Rays say it can). We also got several inquiries about what's wrong with Tropicana Field. And more than a few fans wanted to know about plans for making the team better. We also received queries about our methods, and wanted to make it clear that the Times chose the questions and did not provide them ahead of time to the Rays officials. That said, here are the ones we considered the most interesting, relevant and with the broadest appeal. Feel free to leave questions or comments in the 'Comments' area below. -- Marc Topkin, Times staff writer
(Pictured: Michael Kalt, left, and Matt Silverman. Times photo - John Pendygraft. Click to enlarge.)

Is this a done deal, secretly hashed out with the city, mayor, governor, and other assorted representatives of private business ... er, I mean, the people? ... Is all this Q/A just a window dressing to placate the citizens who will, once again, be duped into paying for the gains and profits of private enterprise? Will any of these questions be answered truthfully? -- Jess

MK:  This is far from a done deal.  There is a tremendous amount of public process still ahead of us, including a public RFP on the Trop site and, of course, a public referendum that will  hopefully take place next November.  So there will be plenty of opportunity for public input and it will ultimately be the public who will decide the fate of the project.

Why was most of this done behind closed doors up until this point? What do the Rays feel they need to hide? -- Rays fan

MS:  We want to engage the public in this process.  That's why it was important for the Rays to announce these projects last month.  We worked with the City to determine if the project merited an announcement. We also needed to be prepared to answer preliminary questions about the projects.  With the announcement, we can now fully engage the public in the process.  We expect the public will help craft the ultimate form of both development projects.

If you could get out of your lease today, would you move the team? Why do you think you should share in the sale of an asset (Tropicana Field) you don't own? When you sell the Rays, can the City of St. Petersburg share in the money that is made?  -- Chris Allen

MK:  If we could get out of our lease today, we would be proposing the exact same projects that we're currently putting forward.  This is not about sharing in an asset we don't own.  It's about trying to create something greater than what currently exists for everyone.

Those cables extending from the stands to that giant mast beyond centerfield seem like they will be pretty ugly. Instead of odd catwalks to look at, we will have a giant mast with ugly cables. How will the cables be made attractive-looking, or how will they become 'invisible' and will that giant pole/mast be decorated in some way? It seems really ugly and weird in the current images of the new stadium. -- David Gross

MS:  The cables will vary in size but most will be only a couple inches wide.  We expect that they will be barely visible.  The mast is a design element that will continue to be refined as the project moves forward--it also serves a practical purpose as the primary support for the roof that will cover the entire playing field. 

At the new stadium, the Rays are losing approximately 9,000 seats and a lot of parking revenue, which I'm sure will result in extremely higher ticket prices. How are you possibly going to keep tickets affordable (and ticket plans) for the average fan, who were able to buy tickets at the Trop for $9-14 and have a decent view of the game?  -- Danny DiNicolantonio, St. Petersburg
(In a related question, James Parese asked whether prices and seat location will remain the same for "inaugural" original season ticket holders?)

MK:  Ticket prices are and will continue to be amongst the most affordable in all of professional sports.  There are a number of elements that we're considering to maintain a price point that is as low or lower than the lowest price seat at the Trop, including a general admission ticket that would allow families an inexpensive way to come to the game and sit on a berm or in the area behind RF.

There has been a lot of talk about rainouts with the new stadium, especially during the summer months. We have all seen diagrams of the proposed new stadium and have been told by ownership that a tent-like covering can be rolled out to cover the seating. In all of the diagrams I have seen, not all of the seating is covered. What percentage of the total seating would be covered in the event of rain? My hope is that we are not just covering the expensive seats, but those seats (i.e., outfield or upper deck) that most families can afford. -- Tim Capps

MK:  There will not be rain outs or rain delays, except in the most extreme of circumstances.  The vast majority of seats (at least 90%, if not all) will be covered.  The roof will not only cover the expensive seats.

If the Rays are interested in an open-air stadium, why not remove the roof from Tropicana Field? The stability of the building is not dependent on its roof. You can still install this miraculous fabric that will keep the fans cool during July afternoons. The cost of demolition, and the installation of a 300-foot water tower, will be far less than a new stadium that will not have parking. -- Salvatore Reale, Seminole
(In a related question, Frank of St. Petersburg asked about putting a retractable roof on the Trop such as in Milwaukee, Arizona, Houston or even Montreal?)

MS: We investigated that option.  In addition to it not being financially practical, Tropicana Field wasn't weatherproofed when constructed.  For example, the seating bowl lacks drainage and the electrical systems were not made to withstand weather.  The design for the waterfront park provides the same benefits of a retractable roof stadium like the ones mentioned while fitting into the beautiful waterfront. 

The organization claims to be building the most environmentally friendly stadium in all of major league sports. How are you going to get approval to dredge and fill a small part of Tampa Bay that is covered in sea grass? -- Matthew McCoy, U.S. Naval Academy student

(Pictured: Michael Kalt, left, and Matt Silverman. Times photo - John Pendygraft. Click to enlarge.)

MK:  We've already done extensive surveys of the area and there are only spotty patches of sea grass.  That said, we clearly will need to mitigate for any adverse environmental impacts caused by the relocation of Bayshore Drive.  And we are carrying a substantial number in our project budget to do just that.

If you are so confident that a new downtown ballpark will be successful, then why are you not willing to finance the ENTIRE cost? -- George

MS:  It is not viable for our business to finance an entire ballpark.  We would not be able to adequately operate our business and compete on the field.  Our proposal makes use of the development potential of Tropicana Field and some of the benefits of adding the property back onto the tax rolls.  Without our ability to contribute this asset to the projects, we would not have put forth this proposal, and the Trop and its land would remain undeveloped for the next 20 years.

How confident are you that a redevelopment of the current Trop site can be a viable economic success? (Is Mr. Sternberg) willing to put your proverbial money where your mouth is and invest in that project as well? -- Franki T, The Freaki Tiki Bar, Clearwater


MK:  Based on our initial outreach, we are very confident that the development on the Trop site can and will be successful, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in new property and sales tax revenue to the City and County that would otherwise not materialize if we simply played out the duration of our lease at the Trop.  That is why a firm with the history and reputation of Hines is interested in it.  We anticipate being a part of the investor group at the Trop site, but that is somewhat dependent upon the outcome of the public RFP process.

It is nice that the SPT is lobbing you only softball questions. We're almost halfway through this and there is no mention of the financing.

1) Why should the city float bonds against future rent payments? This essentially means the team has no up-front, out of pocket expenses.

2) Why is there no discussion on how to pay off the existing financing on the Trop?

3) Why should the money from the sale and redevelopment of the Trop site benefit the team, not the owners of the property?

4) Who is going to be responsible for either cost overruns or shortfalls in the projected revenue from the sale and redevelopment of the Trop? -- Ron

MS:  The three major issues we'll be addressing over the next eleven months are parking, fan comfort and financing.  The first step in determining a financing plan for the new ballpark is for the City to issue the RFP for the Trop site.  The details for the financing plan will follow from the results of the RFP.  We are committed to the principal that no new tax dollars will be used to finance the ballpark and existing funds that are being used for other City and County services will not be adversely impacted.  We expect that the development of the Trop site will not only allow us to finance a large chunk of the ballpark, but that it will also generate tens of millions of dollars that will go towards schools (which otherwise would not be generated).

In your last post you mentioned not being able to compete on the field financially if you accepted the entire financing of the stadium. Do you seriously consider the triple a garbage that has been on the field for the last 10 years competing????? -- kh

MK:  This is exactly the point.  We want to be in a financial situation where we can afford to put the best possible product on the field for our fans.  And while it's unfair to characterize the product on the field as you do, the simple fact is that the new ballpark will greatly improve our ability to retain the great young talent we continue to amass.

What specific actions will the Rays take to minimize the discomfort to fans watching games outside in the summer heat and weather? I have heard that some seats will be air-conditioned. Where will those seating areas be located?

MS:  We will employ a number of measures to improve fan comfort.  It is imperative that the fan experience be a pleasant one.  While it won't be a stable 72 degrees in the new park, we expect it will be comfortable.  Certainly there will be air conditioned areas including the concourse.  The roof not only works to shield from the rain but also from the sun, minimizing it's impact during daylight hours.  We expect the combination of these measures will result in the THI (temperature humidity index) being less than other baseball cities like Atlanta and Arlington, TX and being similar to places like Kansas City and Baltimore.

The current Tropicana Field is supposed to be turned into affordable housing. I was wondering if you had a rough idea of what 'affordable' meant. Also, I was wondering if you had thought of making the current Trop, without demolishing it, into an indoor facility similar to Chennelside. If you could fill it with shopping and nightlife, you would still be able to keep plenty of parking available. With some sort of trolley system, I thought this could work. -- Jason, St. Petersburg

MK:  There is still a lot of work to be done to define the affordable housing component of the project, but at a high level, affordable means housing for people who earn less than the average median income in the area.  As for the current Trop, we've looked at various options for repurposing the building.  Unfortunately, it's unlikely that any of them would work.  The building has a number of structural issues and was not constructed with the idea of housing retail amenities inside.  Although it would obviously be preferable if this were not the case, the value of the property is likely much greater without the Trop on it.

Though your plan requires 'no new taxes,' it does ask for a tax subsity that will take money out of our local economy. What do you say to fans who are wondering why they should support the subsidy when the chief financial beneficiaries are a group of New York multimillionaires? -- Paul D. Schulz

(Pictured: Michael Kalt, left, and Matt Silverman. Times photo - John Pendygraft. Click to enlarge.)

MS:  It will not take money out of the local economy.  It should add to it, and we'll be able to demonstrate that more fully once the financing plan is developed.  We are talking about a development that would not otherwise exist, an amenity that will not only draw visitors from throughout Tampa Bay but also provide a new economic driver for the City and County.  Our ownership is committed to running the Rays as a breakeven business.  All revenues generated by the business are reinvested in the business whether it's in Major League Payroll, International Operations or Tropicana Field upkeep.

Instead of investing so much money, time and effort into changing the bay near the new ballpark, how about a high fence similar to Fenway? -- Rich Perry, St. Pete

MK:  A high fence won't solve the issue.  Without relocating Bayshore, we'd be looking at a seriously compromised dimension down the RF line (probably something shorter than 270 feet).  Moreover, we tried to design the ballpark with an eye towards preserving views of the waterfront, not blocking them off with a huge wall.

Has Mr. Silverman ever walked 15 blocks in the August afternoon humidity in St. Pete, as he wants Rays patrons to do? -- Dave Butcher Towzey

MS:  The distances we're talking about are much shorter than 15 blocks.  Many fans currently walk long distances to Tropicana Field today, either from our parking lots or from private ones.  The walks to the new park would be of similar distance.  Growing up in Texas, I frequently attended games in Arlington where we'd park at the Six Flags remote lots and walk in the 100 degree heat to the ballpark.  What we have in St. Pete is significantly more tolerable than that. 

We will continue to make ourselves available to answer your questions about these projects.  Please check www.majorleaguedowntown.com for updated information on these projects including dates and times of public outreach meetings. Thanks for the questions and for your interest in these projects.

That's all we have time for today, as we tried to mix in some of the live questions and those that were sent in ahead of time. About 20 questions were answered and we received more than 80 comments, as Michael Kalt and Matt Silverman stuck around for an additional half-hour. We'll try to get a few more answered in the near future and post those as well.  Additional comments are welcome and we will try to do this again sometime. Thanks for taking a look - Marc Topkin, Times staff writer.

You ask, Rays answer - Tuesday, 2-3

Have a question about the Rays' plans for a new stadium and downtown redevelopment that no one else has thought to ask? Or want to get something about the projects clarified? Rays president Matt Silverman and senior VP Michael Kalt will answer your questions between 2-3 p.m. on Tuesday at blogs.tampabay.com/rays. Send questions to sptsnews@sptimes.com.

Back to business ....

Now that the five days of hype and extra attention are over, Rays officials are back home working to make deals as they normally do - in private, by phone and e-mail, without the scrutiny of daily media briefings and speculation based on who they were seen talking to in a hotel hallway.

The Rays came home from Nashville with one less headache - having made Elijah Dukes' the Nationals' problem - and the same needs they had going in: a lefthanded hitting outfielder, a lefty reliever, a super utilityman, and a potential upgrade at catcher.

And they are not in any hurry to fill those needs, willing to be ambitious and willing to explore all avenues in shooting high before settling for Plan B or C.

For example, though there has been considerable chatter about acquiring C Michael Barrett, nothing is imminent. And probably won't be until they fill their top priority and get that extra outfielder.

The scenario going around the Internet Friday made sense, that Barrett's decision to accept arbitration from the Padres - even though they only project platoon duty for him - was made so he could instead be traded to the Rays (or elsewhere) and get the playing time he craved. That's because as a free agent (had he refused arbitration) a signing team would have had to give up a draft pick, whereas this way they can give the Padres a spare part.

Eventually, that could happen with the Rays. (Or the Padres could make it more interesting by acquiring Houston OF Luke Scott, whom the Rays also have interest in.) But the Rays have other needs beyond catcher to fill first, and that's what they're likely to focus on for now. And with the approaching Dec. 12 deadline for contracts to be tendered, they may wait even longer to see who else becomes available.

Live from Nashville, day four ...

AFTERNOON UPDATE: With no deals in sight, Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman was headed home on a mid-afternoon flight with plans to continue discussions in their search for a left-handed hitting OF.
The Rays took RHP Tim Lahey with the first pick of the Rule 5 draft and traded him in a pre-arranged deal to the Cubs for about $150,000 - which is a nice $100,000 profit given the $50,000 drafting fee.
They lost one player, RHP Evan Meek, who was taken with the second pick by Pittsburgh. Meek had some good stuff, but the Rays obviously didn't think enough of his potential to include him on the 40-man roster.
In the Triple-A portion of the draft, they made three picks: OF Rashad Eldridge (from Minnesota), RHP Julio Puentes (from Houston) and RHP Jose Mejias (from the Mets).
-----

Suitcases are piling up in the vast lobbies of the Opryland village as the meetings are headed toward conclusion following this morning's Rule 5 draft.

Though Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis, Andruw Jones (agreed to terms with Dodgers late Wednesday) and, don't forget, Elijah Dukes changed teams this week, there is a sense of disappointment over the lack of deals.

There has been plenty of talk, though, and among the more interesting chatter was the Mets emerging as strong candidates to acquire Johan Santana and the Orioles making serious efforts to blow up their unsuccessful team and start a much needed rebuilding.

From the Rays standpoint, there's been continued chatter over their efforts to land a left-handed hitting outfielder. At one point, there was buzz they were close to a trade (Houston's Luke Scott?), then that they could make a play for a younger, better player (Los Angeles' Andre Ethier?) and then that they were close to something with a free agent (Cliff Floyd?).

Agent Scott Boras made it sound like there hadn't been much in the way of talks with the Rays about a long-term contract for Carlos Pena, who is eligible for arbitration and has interest in a long-term deal, making it much more likely they'll work out a one-year deal.
The Rays have Pena for next season (and the year after) so the question is whether he goes through arbitration, signs a one-year contract to avoid the process or does a long-term deal. Boras' hunch? "He'll be with them next season.''

Live from Nashville, day three ...

EARLY EVENING UPDATE: Whatever the Rays were working on during the day - and executive VP Andrew Friedman acknowledged they may have been close to a deal - isn't likely going to happen tonight, and may not happen at all.
Friedman said they talked to a number of teams and agents about a bunch of different things, but nothing was imminent. Interesting, the talks did expand beyond the search for a lefthanded hitting outfielder, but he wouldn't get specific.
And there's yet another name to consider, as the agents for Tampa native Luis Gonzalez told espn.com that the Rays are one of several teams they've been in contact with.

Otherwise, it's very quiet tonight on the overall trade front, with many team officials headed to an awards banquet.

LATE AFTERNOON UPDATE: Here's another interesting possibility as a lefthanded hitter to be acquired in trade - Laynce Nix.
He was designated for assignment on Wednesday by the Brewers, which means he is very available. He spent most of last season at Triple-A Nashville, hitting .268 with 24 homers and 74 RBIs, and got only 12 big-league at-bats, and didn't get a hit.
Nix, 27, was acquired from Texas in July 2006, having played parts of four seasons with the Rangers, playing a career-high 115 games in 2004. Overall, he has a .238 career average in the big leagues with 29 homers and 118 RBIs.

Andrew Friedman will have his daily media briefing at around 6 Tampa Bay time, details as they happen.

AFTERNOON UPDATE:
The Rays sure appear to be  working on something, based on the frequency in which manager Joe Maddon was checking his text messages during the annual manager's lunch. The chance of news today might be 50-50, but there's nothing set at this point.

In checking through the list of lefthanded-hitting outfield-playing trade possibilities, one name that could make sense is Andre Ethier, the Dodgers'  25-year-old who hit .284 with 13 homers and 64 RBIs.

It seems less likely that the Rays are interested in bringing back Josh Hamilton, who is being made available by the Reds. In other ex-Ray news, Jorge Cantu was released today by Cincinnati.

The Rays and Twins shared a table at lunch, but Maddon and Ron Gardenhire did a good job of not talking shop, with no chatter about Delmon Young, Matt Garza or Jason Bartlett. Gardenhire did talk about how much he loves St. Pete - having trained there when he played for the Mets - and has thought of someday retiring to Treasure Island.

Also ran into Ben Zobrist - who lives in the Nashville area and came by the hotel to see his agent and manager Joe Maddon - and he said he is feeling good and ready for spring training.

The Rays got some good news at mid-day, being named Organization of the Year by the Topps Co. The award is based on the number of players in an organization that wins Topps awards during the season, such as players of the month and minor-league all-star teams.

The Tigers-Marlins trade has gone through, with the official announcement at 4 p.m. eastern.

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There's some major questions lingering as the winter meetings have moved past the halfway point, such as:

whether the Twins are going to trade ace Johan Santana? (Maybe not this week, anyway, as Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire  said this morning "nothing's happened and nothing's imminent.")

whether the Orioles are going to trade Erik Bedard or the A's are going to trade Dan Haren? (There's been lots and lots of talk, so maybe.)

whether the Marlins-Tigers blockbuster is going to become official? (It should be, perhaps later today, as all eight players have to get medical clearance.)

and whether there is any point in going outside the Opryland biosphere for what would be the first time since getting here on Sunday? (Don't bet on it - it's in the 50s now and headed to the 30s!)

So far it's been an uneventful morning, filled mainly be the managers' media sessions as each one - except Joe Torre, by tradition) - sits for a half four and takes questions.

The most Tampa Bay-relevant comments of the morning were by Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, who raved about the players sent to the Rays, RHP Matt Garza and SS Jason Bartlett, and also said he had no worries or concerns about Delmon Young and that he would start in Minnesota with "a clean slate."

From a Rays standpoint, they are expected to continue talks today with other teams and agents about filling their need for a lefthanded hitter who can play the outfield, but are not under any urgency to make a deal here.

The free agent market isn't very promising and the trade market doesn't appear particularly deep, but one interesting name being speculated upon in the media room is former Ray Josh Hamilton.

The Reds need starting pitching, which the Rays have in some excess, but the question would be whether the Rays want to revisit Hamilton's past, as the No. 1 draft pick whose career was nearly ruined by drugs, then resurrected after he was lost in last year's Rule 5 draft as he made an amazing comeback to play in the big leagues.

Otherwise, it's the same group of candidates that has been talked about.

More to come.

Live from Nashville, day two ...

EVENING UPDATE
Looks like there will be some huge news, with the Marlins sending 3B Miguel Cabrera and LHP Dontrelle Willis to the Tigers for Gainesville's LHP Andrew Miller, OF Cameron Maybin, C Mike Rabelo (of Ridgewood High and the University of Tampa) and three other prospects. The deal was expected to be finalized very late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

LATE AFTERNOON UPDATE:
It's been something of a quiet day so far, but here's a fresh name to add to the list of potential Rays additions: utilityman Rob Mackowiak.

He can play first and third base as well as left and rightfield, he hits lefthanded, and he is available, having been let go by San Diego. He has also been with the White Sox and the Pirates.

Otherwise, most of the Rays chatter came out of manager Joe Maddon's session in the main media room, where he said top pick David Price could make it to the majors sometime during his first season, that the Rays probably won't know if they can count on Rocco Baldelli until the middle of spring training, and that Akinori Iwamura most likely will play second whether 3B prospect Evan Longoria makes the big-league team or not.

Price was also on site today and said he'd like to make to the big leagues by June.

Executive VP Andrew Friedman's daily briefing is later this afternoon.

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The small domed village known as the Opryland hotel is slowly coming to life, and the rumors are slowly starting to fly.

The big one, of course, involves the status of Twins pitcher Johan Santana. If the latest reports are true, they appear to be moving closer to a deal to trade him to the Red Sox. Unless, of course, they are trying a double fake-out to get the Yankees more motivated after Hank Steinbrenner's threat to cut off talks if there was no deal on Monday. Or not.

On the Rays front, the focus remains on finding a lefthanded hitter who could preferably play rightfield. Darin Erstad and Geoff Jenkins look like good fits, though Erstad, a Maddon favorite, is interested in playing for a contender and Jenkins could be looking for $5-$6-million a year. Other free agent possibilities include Shawn Green, Brad Wilkerson, Cliff Floyd. Or they could sign someone to be more of a DH and cover rightfield with Jonny Gomes, Rocco Baldelli and Justin Ruggiano, which would put Tony Clark in play, along with Mark Sweeney, Corey Koskie and Mike Lamb. And there are also trade possibilities as well.

One of the reasons the Rays took Josh Wilson off the roster, and subsequently lost him on waivers, was to gain some roster flexibility since he was out of options and couldn't be sent to the minors. More immediately, it gave them room to make a selection in Thursday's Rule 5 draft, where Indians OF prospect Brian Barton is a candidate for the the No. 1 overall pick the Rays hold. Barton is coming off end-of-season knee surgery but expected to be ready for spring training.

And here's what Baseball America had to say before last season about Glenn Gibson, the young lefty prospect acquired from Washington on Monday for Elijah Dukes. Gibson, now 20, in 2007 went 4-3, 3.10 for Vermont in the short-season Class A NY-Penn League.

From Baseball America's 2007 prospect rankings, in which Gibson was seventh in the Nationals system:

Background: The son of former big league lefthander Paul Gibson, Glenn turned down a commitment to Central Florida for an above-slot $350,000 bonus in the fourth round. He signed late in the summer so he had a limited pro debut, but he did show off his polish with three scoreless outings at short-season Vermont.

Strengths: It's evident that Gibson learned a lot from his father, because he really knows how to pitch. His best offering is an above-average 76-77 mph curveball with good downward bite that was a revelation this spring after his dad moved his arm slot from three-quarters to high three-quarters. He has always trusted his changeup, which already rates as an average pitch and could get better. Gibson projects to add velocity to his 86-88 mph fastball as he fills out his lanky frame, and he already ratchets it up to 91 on occasion. His delivery is clean and easy.

Weaknesses: Despite hiring a personal trainer and adding 15 pounds as a high school, Gibson remains skinny and needs to get stronger. He commands his fastball well but will need to add more velocity to pitch toward the front of a big league rotation.

The Future: Because he's so advanced, Gibson will push for a rotation spot in low Class A as a 19-year-old. He has a chance to be a No. 3 starter if he develops physically.

Elsewhere, an intriguing name from the Rays past is in the news. Josh Hamilton - hey, he's a lefthanded hitter who could play the outfield - reportedly being made available by the Reds and of interest to the Cubs, who are managed by Lou Piniella, who was the Tampa Bay manager when Hamilton was last a Ray.

Also, Pasco County product Tyler Clippard has been traded from the Yankees to the Nationals, according to the Washington Post.

Dukes traded to Nationals

The Rays finally had enough of Elijah Dukes.

The Rays confirmed and announced they have traded the troubled outfielder to the Nationals, and will get back minor-league left-hander Glenn Gibson, who was 4-3, 3.10 in 12 starts for short-season Class A Vermont this season.

"We have been committed to providing Elijah the support needed to get his personal and professional life back on track,'' Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman said in a statement. "He has made progress, and a logical next step is a change of cities and a fresh start for him and his family.''

After the teams agreed to the trade, Nationals officials met this morning with Dukes at a hotel near the airport here in Nashville, site of the winter meetings. According to the Washington Post, Nats veteran Dmitri Young - the older brother of former Rays OF Delmon Young - was also at the meeting and he is expected to serve as a mentor to Dukes.

Also, the Rays lost utility infielder Josh Wilson on waivers to the Pirates. The Rays must have taken him off the 40-man roster to make room for an expected addition. And there is chatter that the Mariners are interested in RHP Edwin Jackson with the Rays, as at least one scout said, interssted in 1B/DH Ben Broussard, who could end up the lefthanded bat they are looking for.

Trading Dukes seems to make it more likely the lefthanded hitter the Rays are seeking will have to be an outfielder. As it stands right now, they'd go into the season with Rocco Baldelli and Jonny Gomes as their two options, and obviously there are questions about Baldelli's health. Plus they need a DH.

Gibson, 20, was a fourth-round pick by Washington in 2006, and was cited by Baseball America as having the best changeup and best control of pitchers in the Nationals system, and previously had been named as having the best curveball. He is the son of former major-leagur Paul Gibson, who pitched for the Tigers, Mets and Yankees from 1988-96.

There had been some circumstantial evidence earlier in the day that the Dukes deal was in the works, including word that Nationals GM Jim Bowden was overheard on his cell phone yesterday at the airport talking to someone named "Elijah.'' Both teams have scheduled announcements at 5 p.m. Plus, the deal would explain why Dukes, the troubled outfielder, hasn't played since his latest eruption after being ejected from a Dominican League game on Thursday night.

Dukes was dropped from the Rays active roster in June after a series of off-field and personal issues, including allegedly threatening his wife and kids. He also has had numerous legal problems, most recently a charge of marijuana possession. Dukes recently told Licey teammates he would welcome a chance to play elsewhere, likely figuring it would help to be away from the Tampa area where he had many of his problems.

He had been having a successful and somewhat uneventful stint in the Dominican Republic until Thursday, when he was ejected after a strikeout, charged the umpire and had to be restrained by teammates. Earlier in the game he gestured at fans.

The manager of the Licey team, Tim Tolman, who also happens to be the Nationals third-base coach, said that Dukes has left the Dominican for good because he missed his family.

"He is not coming back,'' Tolman said from the Dominican on Monday. "He left on good terms with everyone, with his teammates and with the front office. Yes, he got ejected the other night, but that always happens in these games. He had gone home for about 10 days for Thanksgiving and then came back for a couple games but said he wanted to go home to be with his family. That's not uncommon.''

Nationals GM Jim Bowden is known for his willingness to take chances with troubled players, and also tends to be infatuated with athletes who have extraordinary tools, as Dukes does.

Live from Nashville ...

UPDATE:
Longtime manager Dick Williams, former commissioner Bowie Kuhn, former Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley, manager Billy Southworth and former Pirates owner and World Series founder Barney Dreyfuss were elected to the Hall of Fame today by two new veterans committees.

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The winter meetings are officially underway with team officials having arrived, traipsed through the vast lobbies of the Opryland hotel and settled into their suites.

Now they start talking ....

We'll provide updates throughout the day, and report promptly on any Rays news, but it's impossible to keep up with every rumor. That's because so many of them are made up. Unlike it seems to be portrayed, the lobby scene at the winter meetings is not necessarily filled with rumors and good information. Team officials don't stand under signs and give out tips.

Sometimes, the rumors you hear about of trades and signings are the product of good reporting, from sources (often not the GMs), willing to share info on what their team is doing. More often, it's personnel from one team - a scout, a mid-level exec, a manager - dishing dirt on what another team is offering, seeking, and/or planning to do. (Which means they might be talking for a purpose.) And sometimes it's just a matter of conjecture - of beat writers, of radio and TV folks, of posters to blogs and emailers - that is thrown out, reported as fact and sometimes suddenly considered gospel.

Enough about how it works ...

As for news - there will be an announcenent at 11 about possible new members to the Hall of Fame, as voted by two new veterans committees.

Yankees boss Hank Steinbrenner has told reporters the team wants an answer today on its offer to the Twins for Johan Santana.

And there has been one somewhat actual development - Andy Pettitte has decided he will pitch this season for the Yankees.