Welcome change: Rays willing to pay price for pennant

ST. PETERSBURG — It took three months, 50 victories and a couple of Jonny Gomes' beatdowns for the world to come around to the idea of the Rays as contenders. And now get ready for another shocker.

The franchise that once dumped Fred McGriff at the deadline is now talking about trading for C.C. Sabathia. The organization that once unloaded Toby Hall, Mark Hendrickson, Aubrey Huff and Julio Lugo in one summer is now considering a deal for Brian Fuentes. The team forever on a budget is not worrying about the bottom line.

The trading deadline is 29 days away, and the Rays are down to this one consideration:

Will a deal make them better this season without significantly jeopardizing their future?

At this moment, it is a riddle with no answer. For it is still too soon to gauge the cost of prying Sabathia away from Cleveland, and Fuentes from Colorado. There are too many movable pieces and too many variables to ponder.

But, for now, it is enough to know the Rays are willing to consider the possibility.

Because as sweet as the air smells this morning — and we have never known the aroma of first place in July — you must realize just how fragile this whole thing can be.

Consider that on this very day a year ago, the division leaders in the National League were New York, Milwaukee and San Diego. The wild-card leader was Los Angeles. None of those teams made the playoffs.

That's not saying the Rays are heading for a collapse. That's not suggesting this team isn't built to go the distance. It is merely pointing out how quickly fortunes can change, and how precious this opportunity is.

Theoretically, the Rays should be stronger next season. But can you count on the Yankees being a mediocre team again? Can you be sure Scott Kazmir, James Shields and Matt Garza will all be heading to 150-plus innings again? Can you assume the Rays will again have a .682 winning percentage in games decided by two runs or less?

In other words, there is something special going on in Tampa Bay this summer and it would be a horrible mistake to treat it as if it is the first of many more to come.

So, having said all of that, how should the Rays proceed in the next four weeks?

The recent history of deadline acquisitions has not been all that encouraging. The Braves gave up a bundle for Mark Teixeira and Octavio Dotel last summer and did not make the playoffs. The Red Sox brought in Eric Gagne and won the World Series in spite of him. In 2006, the Rangers acquired Carlos Lee, who could not bring them a division title but cost them future All-Star closer Francisco Cordero in the process.

The Rays understand all of this. They realize the potential cost of a pennant race move. Which is why I assume they will only sniff around Sabathia, while going hard after Fuentes.

The price for Sabathia is going to be steep. It will probably take two premium prospects for a pitcher who is going to be here for three months then leave forever because his contract demands will be out of Tampa Bay's range.

Tampa Bay may be willing to give up one top prospect and some other pieces, but there is no way they will surrender two of their best prospects.

That's why Fuentes might make more sense. He will still command a top minor-leaguer, but the Rays might be able to bring him to town without completely disrupting their farm system.

Tampa Bay's bullpen has been the best in the league for most of the season, but it's hard to expect the same type of performance if Troy Percival's hamstring continues being a problem. Not only does it rob the Rays of their closer, it weakens their depth and means everyone else will be asked to fill a new role.

Maybe the combination of Grant Balfour, J.P. Howell and Dan Wheeler can be effective enough in the late innings, as they have the past two nights at Tropicana Field. But that might be a risky bet to make with so much at stake.

The starting rotation has been strong, but the Rays have too many six-inning pitchers. The bullpen has been asked to handle a huge role, and an extra arm could be imperative come August and September.

It's not like Fuentes is an automatic choice. His ratio of saves since 2006 is closer to unacceptable (63-of-80) than outstanding. But he will likely be the best closer on the market, and the Rays are proceeding with that in mind.

Now, perhaps, this talk is premature. The Rays have guaranteed the Red Sox will leave town as the second-place team in the AL East, and Tampa Bay's pitchers have shut down one of the best lineups in baseball on consecutive nights. So maybe the Rays will decide additional pieces are not worth the price in trade.

Comments on this article

by Tom	Jul 4, 2008 1:44 PM
I say they trade for Matt Holliday. Try and sign him long term. If not, get 2 first round comp. picks. Not too bad. They need a guy that will hit .300 and can steal bases, cuz that's what we do! GO RAYS!

by evelyn	Jul 4, 2008 1:31 PM
hiiiiiiiiiiii to all of you big shots there.will all the venum you spue,how do you support yourselves in the winter?pick trash barrels?grow up and act like humans instead of the thugs you talk like in your so called news reports, be more classeeeeeee

by Mike	Jul 4, 2008 1:24 PM
I agree that the Rays should bolster the bullpen, but I doubt Fuente's the best option. The Rays should make hay while they can and trade prospects if necessary.

by Doyle	Jul 4, 2008 1:03 PM
I think we are doing just fine with what we have. I do agree that Balfour is our new closer. I love Troy but his best days are obviously behind him. I cringe when he comes in with a 1 run lead. The hitting is marvelous. GO RAYS!

by Kathy	Jul 4, 2008 1:01 PM
If the Ray's keep their good players instead of ditching them like they have in the past they'll have a great team. The problem has always been that they ditched the powerhouses & kept younger, less experienced players. This team is awesome-Go Rays!!

by Pete (Sr) Keilty	Jul 4, 2008 12:31 PM
Go for it.

by by CB	Jul 3, 2008 10:24 AM
comment by John is perfect. We need a "WE DON'T DO" list. You covered my three biggest complaints. I also agree with several comments about Balfour is our future closer and if it ain't broke don't fix it. Go with what who got us here. GO RAYS!!

by Paul	Jul 2, 2008 6:18 PM
Can you count on the Yankees being a mediocre team again? YES. They are old and unmotivated, in 09 they will be another year older and still unmotivated. Balfour is a better closer than Fuentes. Gary Glover is "back" he's our new 7th inning guy.

by Steve	Jul 2, 2008 6:17 PM
This is what the Rays should have been spending their time on lo these last 18 months. Not a new stadium. The Trop seats 44,000, is storm proof, air conditioned and just fine. No complaints on parking either. NO New Waterfront Stadium.

by J	Jul 2, 2008 5:58 PM
DO NOT TRADE AWAY THE YOUNG CHEAP DEPTH AND TALENT IN THE SYSTEM---IT WILL BE NEEDED! Promote D. Price and put him in the bullpen for the rest of the year. Rocco will be back after the break, so there is no need for a right hand hitting outfield bat.

by Murf	Jul 2, 2008 5:57 PM
It's nice to be thinking that the Rays are in a position to make a run for the playoffs. I say let's go to that dance with the players that got us this far. GO RAYS!!!

by Ray F	Jul 2, 2008 5:56 PM
We already have a C.C.; we don't need another. He is overweight, on the downslope of his career, and would fit perfectly on the overpaid Yankees. He could even grow a Giambi-esque porn 'stache. Balfour's the future. Bring in Nady or Bay if anyone.

by Dave	Jul 2, 2008 5:53 PM
Where's the Rightfielder? Milton Bradley? I live in Dallas, and can tell you his team mates love him. A little volatile and injury prone, maybe, but worth the risk. CC too expensive -but not a shadow of himself. Price? Neimann? McGee? Stay away.

by Jimbo	Jul 2, 2008 5:53 PM
We don't need pitching; our rotation is solid, if not scary. We need people who can bunt! Willy Aybar's the only one who can lay down a clutch bunt, and with all the speed on the team, don't you think we should do more of that?

by Stan	Jul 2, 2008 5:51 PM
Romano and Sheldon need to write about sports and leave the people the team hired to make these skilled decisions to make them on their own. You guys write and the RAYS win games....Let things remain the same....Please.....

by sam	Jul 2, 2008 5:51 PM
San Diego did make the playoffs last year. As for trades, a right fielder - preferably Nagy, if they can get him. The bullpen works as is - move Balfour to the 9th.

by moogoo	Jul 2, 2008 5:51 PM
dangerous shopping the Mets took Zmbrano for Kazmir.

by Jt the brick	Jul 2, 2008 5:48 PM
Mac lugo is a below average player we don't need to trade for him. Plus if the rays do go after CC then their going to either sign him to a 2-3 year deal or just dont go after him at all

by Scott	Jul 2, 2008 5:47 PM
Do not get CC! His best days are behind him. Would love to see the addition of a stud right handed hitting everyday outfielder like Jason Bay. His salary is only $6 million...it's in our range.

by Smart Guy	Jul 2, 2008 5:41 PM
No way they trade for Sabathia. Brewers, Phillies, or Yanks are going to land him. Look for Jason Bay, Xavier Nady, or Matt Murton to be signed

by Jonny Gomes	Jul 2, 2008 5:41 PM
We really don't need either of em... We have solid pitching, plus minor league prospects who can come up just in case. Spend the money on contract extentions for our existing players and on a better campaign for a new stadium. GO RAYS

by Mike	Jul 2, 2008 5:29 PM
Brian Fuentes is a HUGE risk. His confidence at this point is probably zero. Check his numbers. See how many runs allowed/blown leads he has this season. Just look at the end result of the San Diego game from 2 days ago.

by joaquin	Jul 2, 2008 5:09 PM
don't fix when it ain't broken. that's the simplest rule that we can talk about. the bullpen is one of the finest we have. so it doesn't need a fix. fuentes who?

by John	Jul 2, 2008 4:41 PM
Sometimes the best move is no move at all. The SP and Bullpen have benifited with the best defense in MLB. No need to trade unless Troy injuries takes him out for the season. Since Troy is a warrior, I do see him coming back, but maybe not to soon.

by John	Jul 2, 2008 4:41 PM
Price is an option when Sept. comes around. He is pitching very well in the minors. Rays have arms in AAA that can help the Rays until Troy is healthy. During this time that Troy is on the DL, The Rays can see who will step up & become the future clo

by Mike	Jul 2, 2008 4:32 PM
If they do anything with the Rockies, Fuentes will be a throw in,go for the gusto with Matt Holliday,we have no more middle of the order or OF prospects that he could fill.Bring him here for Jennings,Niemann,Hammel,and some other prospect(not Davis)

by steve	Jul 2, 2008 4:08 PM
Don't touch anything! The Rays have the best record in baseball after ten years at the bottom, and you want to make trades??? Durham has Thayer (1.48 ERA), Dohmann (2.25 ERA), and several others waiting by the phone. Talbot gets first crack.

by Brian	Jul 2, 2008 3:47 PM
You guys don't need CC. You need either the dominate Lefty from the pen or a young Closer. The Pirates are a one stop shop. Bay or Nady and Marte or Capps. Bay is under contract till 09 and Capps is in his 3rd yr so control is yours for 3 more

by Mark	Jul 2, 2008 3:46 PM
Fuentes is "very" average at best. I like the X.Nady or M.Holliday rumors we need a guy to consistently drive in runs. We have the pitching all the way through the bullpen without Percy in my opinion. Close out those Sox tonight Rays...

by Mitch	Jul 2, 2008 8:32 AM
Leave the team the way it is and roll the Dice!! They have team chemistry and that's what it takes to have a miracle season!!! GO RAYS!!!!!

by Arthur	Jul 2, 2008 8:32 AM
I don't think the Rays should be buyers for anyone before tradeline. Why should they have to mortgage their future like other big market teams? Why mess with the chemistry? The Rays need to continue the culture that got Longo signed long term.

by Joe	Jul 2, 2008 8:32 AM
Please don't make any trades. If we look back over history, you always hear how a team gave up a Bagwell or Smoltz and it didn't work out.

by john	Jul 2, 2008 8:32 AM
Have not missed a game Maddon needs to put up list of "WE DON'T DO" Steal third with TWO outs Swing at first pitch after Two walks Look at third strike with runners in scoring position Swing at first pitch period Swing for seats everytime

by Larry	Jul 2, 2008 8:31 AM
Good to know they are thinking about adding a quality pitcher, but they need to be careful about giving away too much.

by mac	Jul 2, 2008 8:31 AM
would you please take back lugo. thank you