Franchise Notes

Rays Owner Stuart Sternberg yesterday, in talking about the "possibility of a significant stretch-drive addition," said money "won't be an object." In St. Petersburg, Marc Topkin writes that "doesn't mean the Rays are necessarily going to become massive buyers" ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. Sternberg "clouded his own statement a bit" by saying adding to the franchise-record $72M payroll would still be a "large impediment." But he "made it abundantly clear they were extremely open to the possibility." Sternberg: "By any means necessary. We'll do whatever; money won't be an object." Sternberg added that it is "merely an extension of the commitment they made during the offseason 'to completely obliterate our budget' to do what they can to win" ( ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 7/7 ). MISSING IN ACTION : In Seattle, Steve Kelley writes the Mariners last offseason "went cheap when they should have gone bold and that, more than any other reason, is why they entered Tuesday night's game against perennially bad Kansas City with a record worse than the Royals." Kelley: "Sometimes I think Mariners management runs this team as if it believes Seattle's baseball fans should be grateful that there still is baseball in town. It acts as if it is doing enough just by swinging open the Safeco gates. ... Maybe the motto for this franchise should be: 'Hey, At Least We're Not The Sonics. We Stayed'" ( SEATTLE TIMES, 7/7 ). SOCCER FEVER : In San Jose, Jon Wilner noted the MLS Earthquakes recently signed a "one-year sponsorship deal" with 7-Eleven, and Earthquakes Exec VP/Business Operations David Alioto said, "I'm not sure how interested they would have been without the soccer fever. Companies are saying (to their advertising agencies), 'Why aren't we involved in soccer?' This is a very important time for us -- and for Major League Soccer -- to show our product off really well." An Earthquakes official indicated that the club has seen a "triple-digit rise in sales of the mini-season-ticket plan, with one fan buying 25 'mini plans' Friday afternoon" ( SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 7/3 ). MAKING A DIFFERENCE : In Atlanta, Henry Unger reported some of WNBA Dream Owner Kathy Betty's "hard work is paying off," as she "has reduced the red ink by cutting expenses, securing sponsors such as Aaron's, Coke and Grady, and hiring an experienced sports exec," Toby Wyman, as President & COO. But even with a first place team, attendance is "well behind where it needs to be." Betty said that "to break even, the Dream needs to draw about 8,500 paying fans." But she noted the team this season has been averaging "just under 7,000." Betty: "This is hard work. There is no magic bullet. This is about building our house one fan at a time" ( AJC.com, 7/6 ).

Mariners Criticized For Lack Of Spending This Past Offseason