OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Expansion Revision: 1998 Devil Rays and beyond

Moriarty9 · 12-08-2008, 05:33 PM

D-Rays sign Vaughn
Former All Star hopes to regain form
April 27, 1998

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - With the offense sputtering, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays today brought free agent outfielder Greg Vaughn into the fold on a low-money, one-year contract.
Vaughn, 32, found himself without a job this spring after struggling with the San Diego Padres last year. The two-time All Star hit just .206 with 13 home runs, 52 RBI and struck out 108 times in 394 at bats with the Padres last season.
The Devil Rays would likely be satisfied by similar power production out of Vaughn, given the lack of bats in the expansion club's lineup, and the club could luck out if the slugger regains the form he showed at times with the Milwaukee Brewers. In 102 games in 1996, Vaughn hit .280 with 31 home runs and 95 RBI for the Brewers before being traded to the Padres. In 1993, he hit .267 with 30 homers and 97 RBI in 154 games for Milwaukee.
"Greg Vaughn has a lot of upside for us," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "He could be a big help in providing a little bit of thunder in the lineup."
Vaughn said he signed on to show he still has the ability to be a middle-of-the-order hitter in the big leagues and pledged to do his best to serve as a mentor to the younger players on the club.

Vaughn took the field for practice with his new team after it was announced he had signed a one-year contract.

12-08-2008, 05:33 PM	#11 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	D-Rays sign Vaughn Former All Star hopes to regain form April 27, 1998 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - With the offense sputtering, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays today brought free agent outfielder Greg Vaughn into the fold on a low-money, one-year contract. Vaughn, 32, found himself without a job this spring after struggling with the San Diego Padres last year. The two-time All Star hit just .206 with 13 home runs, 52 RBI and struck out 108 times in 394 at bats with the Padres last season. The Devil Rays would likely be satisfied by similar power production out of Vaughn, given the lack of bats in the expansion club's lineup, and the club could luck out if the slugger regains the form he showed at times with the Milwaukee Brewers. In 102 games in 1996, Vaughn hit .280 with 31 home runs and 95 RBI for the Brewers before being traded to the Padres. In 1993, he hit .267 with 30 homers and 97 RBI in 154 games for Milwaukee. "Greg Vaughn has a lot of upside for us," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "He could be a big help in providing a little bit of thunder in the lineup." Vaughn said he signed on to show he still has the ability to be a middle-of-the-order hitter in the big leagues and pledged to do his best to serve as a mentor to the younger players on the club. Vaughn took the field for practice with his new team after it was announced he had signed a one-year contract.