Mailbag: Will Lugo linger with Rays?

01/16/2006
Why is there so much talk about the Rays trading Julio Lugo? I know they're trying to get more pitching, but why trade one of their best players? I'm assuming Lugo has at least another seven years in him, so in due time, couldn't they move him to second and have B.J. Upton play shortstop when he's ready?-- Anonymous
You'll get no argument from me. There's no telling how much longer Lugo can be a productive shortstop, particularly given his outstanding 2005 season. And I don't think the Rays will be disappointed if they start the 2006 season with Lugo as their shortstop; I think they are considering trade offers because they want to improve the team any way they can.
Unfortunately for the new management team, they are saddled with some of the baggage from the past, and every Rays fan is sick of hearing about the future. I can see the Rays keeping Lugo at shortstop this season, but I can't see him moving to second base. Jorge Cantu is entrenched at that position, and Lugo does not want to play second.
Now that Trever Miller is in Houston, what are the Rays going to do for a lefty specialist out of the 'pen? I honestly don't think Jon Switzer is the answer there, so is there a chance Jason Hammel will come up and move Casey Fossum into the lefty bullpen role?-- Devin J., Wesley Chapel, Fla.
The Rays do need a left-hander in the bullpen, and it doesn't look like Switzer is going to be the guy. Fossum began the 2005 season in the bullpen and Hammel is said to be close to ready, so anything is possible. But I still believe there is much to be done before the Rays consider their bullpen ready for the season.
Hello, Bill. Thanks for providing great Rays news to Jonny Gomes' hometown fans in Petaluma, Calif. I thought you'd like to know about a big event that Jonny's high school baseball coach, Paul Maytorena, and I are planning in his honor on Feb. 11. I hope you can use some of this info to give Jonny a nice plug -- he's sponsoring a team in all three of Petaluma's Little Leagues this year.
This whole thing started when Jonny almost won Rookie of the Year, and I decided we couldn't let him head off to Spring Training without his hometown fans recognizing him for that awesome accomplishment. Petaluma mayor David Glass was the voice of the San Francisco Giants on radio back in the '80s, and he completely agreed.
It's turning into a great event that will inspire Petaluma's young ballplayers to "stick with it" because good things happen when you do. My son, Willy, takes lessons from Jonny's brother Joey, who is an incredibly gifted instructor. I couldn't believe how getting to know a pro in the sport he loves motivated Willy. I hope that Jonny Gomes Day will do the same for hundreds of other kids in Petaluma. -- Tanya Sullivan, Petaluma, Calif.
Nice to hear Jonny is giving back to his community.
Do you think Jesus Colome is any closer to becoming a consistent, dependable option out of the bullpen?-- Wade C., Lakeland, Fla.
Colome is an enigma. When he's on and his fastball is crossing the plate at 97 mph, he's nasty. But last season, those occasions seemed few and far between. However, Colome was hurt for much of the 2005 season, and when he was healthy at the end of the season, the right-hander again seemed to have his stuff, complete with swagger. Colome did say he wanted to be traded during the 2005 season, but with the arm he has, he's the kind of guy organizations are reluctant to part with, and if they do, it's usually after exhausting all other possibilities.
What are the chances of catcher Shawn Riggans starting for the Rays? It seems that he could be very good. He split time in Montgomery, and I think playing full-time would only help him. I know he would have to be the backup for Toby Hall this year, but is there a chance he could start in 2007?-- Kyle K., Montgomery, Ala.
Since the Rays have Hall and Josh Paul as his backup, I don't think the chances are good that Riggans will start the season in the bigs. I know the organization is extremely high on him, so they want him to continue playing every day, and to do so, he will need to be in the Minor Leagues in 2006. What happens after 2006 is probably up to Hall, who is a popular player on the team. New manager Joe Maddon thinks Hall can be a standout catcher. Riggans and the Devil Rays hope he plays well enough in 2006 to make future decisions regarding the catcher position difficult ones.
While other teams are out talking about trades for Manny Ramirez or Miguel Tejada, the Rays are busy signing guys like Ty Wigginton. It's times like these that I'm frustrated being a Rays fan.-- Ken C., Tampa
I wouldn't get that frustrated. The Rays haven't called the Wigginton signing anything more than what it was, which is addressing several needs by signing a capable utility player. Wigginton is right-handed and plays third and first base. Meanwhile, the two most likely candidates to play first and third -- Travis Lee and Sean Burroughs -- both hit left-handed, so Wigginton can back up both. In addition, he can pinch-hit and DH.

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