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Moriarty9 · 01-17-2009, 12:45 AM

Devil Rays begin spring training
Tampa Bay questions to be answered in exhibitions
March 1, 1999

LAKELAND, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays will open their Spring Training exhibition season here tonight against the Detroit Tigers with hopes of beginning to narrow down the question marks surrounding the club.

Pedro Martinez, Kevin Millwood, Aaron Sele and Livan Hernandez are expected to anchor the pitching rotation, but Devil Rays Christian O'Neal said the fifth starter's position is up for grabs with Chad Ogea and lefty Matt Beech the leading candidates for the spot.

There will be fierce competition for bullpen spots between Vic Darensbourg, Rich Garces, Danny Graves, Todd Jones, Byung-Hyun Kim, Joey Long, Paul Quantrill and Gabe White. In addition to battling for roster spots, the relievers will also be going head-to-head for roles within the bullpen, including closer.

Dan Wilson and Charles Johnson are set to return as the team's catching combination. Wilson was the regular catcher last season, but Johnson is poised to make a run for more playing time.

Paul Konerko and Erubiel Durazo will find themselves in the middle of the Tampa Bay lineup for sure, but which will be at first base is still unclear.

Infield positions are also up for grabs. Jeff Frye, last year's regular second baseman, was brought back at $3.75 million after hitting .323. He will surely be in the starting lineup, but it is unclear if he will remain at second base or will make a move to third base. Konerko may also play third base if it becomes necessary to keep his bat and Durazo's in the lineup with another player serving as the designated hitter.
Jerry Hairston, Wilton Guerrero, Jose Hernandez, Tripp Cromer, Dave Berg, and Lou Merloni will all be battling for starting roles on the Devil Rays infield, with some of those players fighting just to earn a roster spot.

The outfield also has a number of position battles. Mike Cameron, Andruw Jones, Ryan Radmanovich, Raul Mondesi, Rickey Henderson and Carlos Beltran will fight one another for starting jobs with Benny Agbayani and Da Rond Stovall longshots to make the roster.

01-17-2009, 12:45 AM	#78 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Devil Rays begin spring training Tampa Bay questions to be answered in exhibitions March 1, 1999 LAKELAND, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays will open their Spring Training exhibition season here tonight against the Detroit Tigers with hopes of beginning to narrow down the question marks surrounding the club. Pedro Martinez, Kevin Millwood, Aaron Sele and Livan Hernandez are expected to anchor the pitching rotation, but Devil Rays Christian O'Neal said the fifth starter's position is up for grabs with Chad Ogea and lefty Matt Beech the leading candidates for the spot. There will be fierce competition for bullpen spots between Vic Darensbourg, Rich Garces, Danny Graves, Todd Jones, Byung-Hyun Kim, Joey Long, Paul Quantrill and Gabe White. In addition to battling for roster spots, the relievers will also be going head-to-head for roles within the bullpen, including closer. Dan Wilson and Charles Johnson are set to return as the team's catching combination. Wilson was the regular catcher last season, but Johnson is poised to make a run for more playing time. Paul Konerko and Erubiel Durazo will find themselves in the middle of the Tampa Bay lineup for sure, but which will be at first base is still unclear. Infield positions are also up for grabs. Jeff Frye, last year's regular second baseman, was brought back at $3.75 million after hitting .323. He will surely be in the starting lineup, but it is unclear if he will remain at second base or will make a move to third base. Konerko may also play third base if it becomes necessary to keep his bat and Durazo's in the lineup with another player serving as the designated hitter. Jerry Hairston, Wilton Guerrero, Jose Hernandez, Tripp Cromer, Dave Berg, and Lou Merloni will all be battling for starting roles on the Devil Rays infield, with some of those players fighting just to earn a roster spot. The outfield also has a number of position battles. Mike Cameron, Andruw Jones, Ryan Radmanovich, Raul Mondesi, Rickey Henderson and Carlos Beltran will fight one another for starting jobs with Benny Agbayani and Da Rond Stovall longshots to make the roster.