Football
20y

Devil Rays make offer to Carl Everett

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Free agent outfielder Carl Everett
received a contract proposal Tuesday from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays,
who think they can improve significantly by adding a power hitter.

Devil Rays general manager Chuck LaMar, who's also interested in
Juan Gonzalez and Jose Cruz Jr., declined to discuss specifics of
the offer. Everett earned $9.15 million last season with the Texas
Rangers and Chicago White Sox.

"There's not a set timeframe, but I think we're going to know
in the next two or three days if it's in the ballpark," LaMar
said.

Everett, a two-time AL All-Star, batted .287 with 28 homers and
92 RBIss last season. He's a .278 career hitter in 11 sometimes
turbulent seasons, including stints with the Florida Marlins, New
York Mets, Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox.

"He's played on good teams. He's a switch-hitter with power. He
can drive in runs. He can play all three outfield positions. He can
DH," LaMar said.

"And, he brings a toughness. Through all his trials and
tribulations ... the one thing that nobody has ever questioned
about Carl Everett is his passion to play this game. He comes to
the park to play every day."

Manager Lou Piniella agreed, calling Everett a "professional
hitter" with a proven track record.

If the Devil Rays are unable to sign Everett, LaMar likely will
turn his attention to Gonzalez and Cruz.

Gonzalez hit .294 with 24 homers and 72 RBIss for Texas last
season. Cruz batted .250 with 20 homers and 68 RBIss for the San
Francisco Giants.

"If you look at the hitters, all three of them bring something
different to the party," Piniella said. "And whoever we sign will
dictate what happens after that."

The Devil Rays also would like to upgrade the bullpen, sign an
experienced backup catcher and improve themselves at second and
third base. Any remaining money likely would go to bolster the
starting pitching.

The team traded for first baseman Tino Martinez last month and
has agreed to a $1.7 million, two-year contract with free agent
utility man Eduardo A. Perez.

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