| ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Jose Canseco might be traded by the
Tampa Bay Devil Rays if they change leagues, but the club insisted
Tuesday night that the slugger is not close to being traded to the
New York Yankees.
| |  | |
| Canseco |
General manager Chuck LaMar conceded that the 35-year-old
designated hitter likely will be moved if realignment shifts the
Devil Rays to the National League, but emphasized that the club is
not in a hurry to make a deal.
"Everybody knows the situation of the pending movement of this
club," LaMar said. "If that happens, then we're going to have to
consider moving Jose Canseco. But I have not had any lengthy
discussions with any team."
The general manager said some AL teams contacted Tampa Bay to
inquire about his plans for Canseco, who has 438 career homers, if
baseball approves realignment this summer and the Devil Rays change
leagues next season.
LaMar declined to identify the teams.
"This is a unique situation because of the National League. We
really don't want to do anything until we are confirmed, very
honestly ... That might be in June, or who knows when that will be.
I don't see Jose Canseco being traded in the near future to the
Yankees or anyone else."
The Devil Rays are hoping the slugger can pull out of a slump
and help the team turn its season around. Canseco was hitting .260
with seven homers and 17 RBI heading into Tuesday night's game
against the Oakland Athletics.
"Hopefully, he can get things turned around here at home plate
and we can start winning a few ball games and get back to the club
we thought we were going to be at the start of the season," LaMar
said.
"Have I had teams call up and say: 'What are you going to do
with Jose Canseco if you go the National League? Would you be
interested in trading? Absolutely. We've had those calls. But that
is the extent of the trade rumors, and that's where they're going
to stay for right now."
The general manager added that he was not concerned that waiting
until AL clubs know they have to unload Canseco, who has played the
outfield just six times in two seasons with the Devil Rays, would
diminish his value in a trade.
"You might think on one hand that you weaken your negotiating
position. ... However, if there's more than one team that's
interested in Jose, you haven't weakened anything," LaMar said.
Canseco wouldn't speculate about his future.
"They're only rumors. I haven't heard anything," he said,
adding that he's happy with Tampa Bay, but understands the club
will have to do something if it switches leagues.
"What am I going to do? Play outfield every day at 250
pounds?" Canseco said. "I doubt that." | |
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