March 29, 2004

Devil Rays give GM LaMar two-year contract extension

SportsLine.com wire reports

TOKYO -- General manager Chuck LaMar was given a two-year contract extension Monday by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, an organization confident it is turning around following six consecutive last place-finishes.

The agreement, which ties LaMar to the team through the 2006 season, was announced before an exhibition against the Yomiuri Giants, the Devil Rays' final game before Tuesday's major-league opener against the New York Yankees.

Owner Vince Naimoli praised LaMar for "operating within a payroll we can afford" and for putting together a quality minor-league system that has started to produce young and talented major-league players such as Rocco Baldelli and Aubrey Huff.

"We believed we can bring a championship organization to Tampa Bay and we still believe we're going to bring a championship organization to the Tampa Bay area," LaMar said during a news conference in the third-base dugout of the Tokyo Dome.

During all six years of the Devil Rays' existence, the final standings in the AL East have been exactly the same: New York Yankees, Boston, Baltimore, Toronto and Tampa Bay.

But the Devil Rays went 63-99 last season, its first under manager Lou Piniella, eight more victories than in 2002.

"I think a lot of people would have made a change, even if just for changes sake," LaMar said.

He acknowledged how difficult it is to compete in a division with the high-spending Red Sox and the Yankees, Tampa Bay's opponent in Tuesday night's opener. But he expects more prospects to develop into major leaguers, giving him quality at a good price.

"We've taken giant steps over the last several years," he said.

Because of the time difference, the extension was announced shortly before 4 a.m. Tampa time, which was 6 p.m. in Japan.

"I don't know where or when to celebrate," he said. "I have a midnight conference call tonight. That's a first in organization history."

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