Tampa Bay Rays owner Stuart Sternberg says Scott Kazmir trade is about financial flexibility

ST. PETERSBURG — Principal owner Stuart Sternberg said last week's trade of Scott Kazmir is an example of the kind of decisions the Rays have, and will continue, to make to "live within our means."

"This is what we do," Sternberg said Wednesday. "This is who we are and this is what we do. People better get used to it, because it's going to continue."

He called the deal, which saved the Rays around $24 million and netted them three prospects, a "reallocation of resources" that provides flexibility and "allows us to get new resources in and reallocate other resources."

And though he understood why some would be upset with the trade of a young, star-quality player during the pennant race — "If I were a casual fan or a real fan of the team, I'd feel the same thing" — he insisted it should not be taken as any sign of surrender.

"I would like to think people know me and know us better that we're not rolling up any carpets, and that we have at least enough of a track record that we have a sense of what we're doing," he said. "I think any real fan who looked at it could clearly see that it's not a salary dump."

He also pointed to the earlier acquisitions of C Gregg Zaun and RHP Russ Springer, which cost the Rays about $2 million and prospect Rhyne Hughes, as examples of "things that are sort of extras that you don't do unless you're really looking to push and win."

Sternberg didn't want to talk much about the quest for a new stadium. All he said about the disappointing attendance for the Red Sox series was that it was "unexpected."

YOUNG GUN: Top prospect RHP Wade Davis was recalled from Triple-A Durham and will make his major-league debut Sunday against the Tigers. Manager Joe Maddon said RHP Andy Sonnanstine will likely start one game in Monday's doubleheader against the Yankees, and they'll decide whether he or Davis will stay in the rotation. Maddon also acknowledged there's a "solid chance" Davis, 24, could crack the rotation in 2010.

"I'm eager to see him pitch here, obviously he's going to be a big part of our future," Maddon said. "He's had a nice season in the minor leagues. I believe he's got good stuff, good makeup."

staying in: Though RHP Matt Garza tied his career high with 120 pitches, and tied the season high for a Rays pitcher, he thought he could have kept going when Maddon pulled him with two outs in the seventh.

Garza appeared to understand the move, saying his pitches didn't have late life and Kevin Youkilis, the batter due up, has been "a pain in the butt for me the last two games." But Maddon pointed out Garza never wants to leave a game.

"He wants to throw 150-175 pitches every time, and his season would be over Aug. 1 every year," Maddon joked. "But that's okay with him."

MEDICAL MATTERS: Rays senior adviser Don Zimmer, 78, had successful surgery Wednesday morning for decompression of a nerve in his lower back. Dr. Tom Tolli, who performed the procedure, said it went very well and he expects full recovery in about six to eight weeks. Zimmer is expected to be released from the hospital this week.

hit show: 3B Evan Longoria hit his eighth homer against the Red Sox this season, tying Carlos Peña's club record against one opponent in one season. Peña hit eight against the Yankees in 2007. … Since Aug. 14 (16 games), DH Pat Burrell is batting .339 (20-for-59) with three homers and 11 RBIs.

Special guest: Veteran RH reliever Jason Isringhausen, wearing a cast over his surgically repaired right elbow, visited the Rays clubhouse Wednesday, saying he still plans to make a comeback and hopes to return around the All-Star break next season. "(The Rays) will be the first guys I call," he said.

MISCELLANY: Maddon said Peña will stay in the cleanup spot, and Longoria and Burrell will alternate in the fifth and sixth spots. … Rays strength and conditioning coordinator Kevin Barr received the Nolan Ryan Award, honoring the "outstanding strength and conditioning coach in professional baseball." … The Rays added an act to their Summer Concert Series with Latin sensation Tito Nieves scheduled to perform after the Rays-Blue Jays game Sept. 19.

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.