Mailbag: Where should Huff play?

02/27/2006
I read that Aubrey Huff is eager to try to play third base again. If so, does that mean that Delmon Young is the front-runner for right field, or would the job go to Johnny Gomes?-- Jason G., Torrance, Calif.
All manager Joe Maddon will say at this point is that he's looking at everyone. Given the way last season went down, I'd have to speculate that Gomes is the favorite to be the right fielder at the start of the season if Huff is at third.
The Devil Rays have four starters -- Jason Hammel, Chris Seddon, Brian Stokes and Jamie Shields -- who will probably start the season in Triple-A. How do you rank them in terms of talent, and do you think any of them will end up in the Rays' bullpen?-- Dave E., St. Petersburg
All are talented, so I think I'll pass on ranking them according to talent. Instead, I'll tell you that Hammel is likely to reach the Major Leagues first and Shields ranks a close second.
As a seasonal visitor and an MLB.com customer when I'm back in the United Kingdom, I am a big Devil Rays fan. Is there any more discussion at Major League Baseball about a more balanced playing schedule or a divisional shakeup that may benefit the Rays? I was thinking something along the lines what the NFL practices: setting a schedule reflecting the previous season's results that allows more teams to have a chance of the playoffs.-- David S., England and Hudson
No. Major League Baseball has no plans for any of the steps you suggest.
In a previous mailbag, you stated that Sammy Sosa was a question mark and not worth $1 million. What is not a question mark is that between designated hitter and outfield, he could be a major contributor. More importantly, there are a lot of Hispanic fans that would definitely go check out the Rays.-- Tom N., Tampa, Fla.
I was simply expressing my opinion about Sosa given the Rays' situation in the outfield. If I were the Rays, I would be more inclined to go with a player of Sosa's stature if he played another position than one where they have so many candidates. I respect your view and I'm sure Sosa would draw a lot of fans to Tropicana Field, because he has quite an impressive body of work.
The Rays have a very talented baseball team. They are one or two players away from contending in the American League East. What is stopping them from picking up that one more legitimate and consistent pitcher?-- Joe O., Gloucester, Mass.
That always sounds good, but where do you go to get this guy? Virtually every team in baseball needs pitching, and no team in baseball wants to part with pitching. So, yes, it would be nice to trade a player or two for a consistent pitcher, but there just aren't any pitchers who are available. The later we move into Spring Training, however, the possibility comes into play that a team will lose a crucial position player. At that point, they are sometimes forced to move a pitcher to fill that sudden void. The Rays have their eyes open looking for pitching, and those eyes never shut.
Why is it being speculated that Gomes will be the club's DH in Spring Training rather than play right field? He is so much better in right that Huff is, so I don't understand why Huff couldn't be the DH and Gomes play right field. Joey Gathright played very well last season, so why did Rocco Baldelli get a big contract when he seems to be very injury-prone? With Gathright in center field, the Devil Rays have the fastest lineup in all of baseball, which they greatly benefited from last season. It just seems like it was a waste to sign Baldelli to such a big contract when we could've just kept Gathright in center and be just as good, if not better, for a lot less money.-- Jonathan E., Tampa, Fla.
Let's go one at a time here. First, the Huff-Gomes issue. That one might get answered before it transpires, given the recent development of Huff wanting to play third base. Next, I like Gathright, too, but Baldelli is a potential five-tool player. He's looking good this spring and everyone expects him to be back at full strength. In addition, he is a team leader and an all-around good egg. As for the big contract/health risk, I'm sure the Rays checked him out thoroughly and they were convinced his health won't be an issue. Otherwise, they would not have gone with the deal.

Source: http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/