Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella said Friday the team has permission to talk with Tino Martinez to gauge his interest about a potential deal that could bring him to Tampa Bay. The Cardinals are shopping the former University of Tampa All-American, and the Rays may need a first baseman following the decision by Travis Lee to pursue free agency. Martinez is due to make $7.5 million next season, then $8 million or a $1 million buyout in 2005.
He also has a limited no-trade clause, but the Rays are one of the clubs to which he would accept a trade. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that Martinez has placed his home there for sale.
"It's alive. We've talked, and we'll talk some more,'' Piniella said, adding any deal likely is at least a week away.
Piniella said he has spoken with Cardinals manager Tony La Russa about Martinez. Piniella also spoke briefly with Martinez on Thursday at a breakfast meeting in Tampa but would not disclose what was said.
Martinez, 35, went to St. Louis in 2002 on a three-year, $21 million deal after Mark McGwire retired. He had 15 home runs this past season, his lowest total for any full season in his 12-year career.
However, Piniella said he likes Martinez's clubhouse leadership and the fact he was a mainstay on three world championship teams while with the New York Yankees. He also played four seasons for Piniella in Seattle.
"Tino can still play,'' Piniella said.
Joe Henderson, Tampa Tribune
