The full column features Frank Wren, the Braves new GM and the Rays' top runner up back in 95, and how things have "worked out" for him. Anyhow the best part of the off-season columns are the miscellaneous notes:
There's talk about moving up Saturday night game times an hour (to 6:10) and expanding the successful postgame concert series. ... Dave Martinez not only impressed the Rays enough to be hired as bench coach with virtually no experience but manager Joe Maddon said, "I can definitely see Davey being a major-league manager some day." ... Pitching coach Leo Mazzone is available but probably not a good fit for the Rays (should they not retain Jim Hickey) given questions about his work with young pitchers. Plus, his star dimmed considerably in Baltimore (and at the end in Atlanta). ... 1B Carlos Pena told the Eagle-Tribune of Lawrence, Mass., he's been talking with agent Scott Boras (who previously told the Times the arbitration-eligible Pena had a $15-million season), and "it's awesome to look at the possibilities." .