Rays want to keep Izzy, appreciate Sheff

Posted Mar 31, 2009 by Marc Lancaster

Updated Mar 31, 2009 at 12:27 PM

FORT MYERS—Joe Maddon and half of his coaching staff stayed back in Port Charlotte for meetings with Andrew Friedman on a variety of topics and didn’t arrive here until shortly before game time.

Maddon didn’t shed much light on the various issues that remain—“I can’t reveal all of our secrets yet”—but the Rays expect to resolve them soon. Some of them, maybe even later today.

“We’re really close,” Maddon allowed.

Based on all the factors in play, I would guess a trade of some sort is more likely than not at this point. Otherwise the Rays would have nailed down the fifth starter’s job by now after saying all last week it would be done by the end of last week. Anyway, I don’t have anything concrete at the moment, but I have no doubt Jeff Niemann and Jason Hammel are very much in demand around the majors, giving the pitching-starved nature of the game.

One pitcher who doesn’t seem to be going anywhere is Jason Isringhausen. He was the only player Maddon and the staff met with today, a courtesy to the veteran who signed with the Rays earlier this spring. Maddon emphasized that the Rays very much want to keep Isringhausen and said he would be with the team in Philadelphia this weekend. He may also be in Boston, even if he isn’t on the Opening Day roster, perhaps just working out with the team until something comes up.

“We’re trying to work something out to keep him with us and possibly get him on the team,” Maddon said. “Either way, we want to keep him with us, there’s no doubt about that. We do not want to lose him. We feel very strongly about that.”

If you’re thinking about the possibility of creating a spot by DLing one of the relievers assumed to be on the team, don’t. When specifically asked about Percival, Wheeler, Balfour, Howell, Shouse and Nelson, Maddon said they have “zero health issues” and all should be fine to open the season.

Regarding Gary Sheffield’s statement that he’d prefer to play for the Rays, Maddon said he was flattered and very much admires Sheffield.

“That’s very complimentary, that he would want to come play for us,” Maddon said. “I have so much respect for this guy as a baseball player and I’ve gotten to know him a little bit over the last couple of years, just having abstract conversations with him. I saw him during the offseason, actually, and he’s in great shape. He’s a very strong person and I like him. Conversationally, I really like him.”

That was as far as the manager would go, and once again, it’s difficult to see a fit here for Sheffield with Pat Burrell locked in at DH and Sheffield a subpar outfielder.