Both Florida and Tampa Bay have been quite active in signing players to minor league contracts. However, the Devil Rays list is much bigger than that of the Marlins, including LHP Cedrick Bowers, RHP Lesli Brea, RHP Jeremi Gonzalez, RHP Mike James, RHP Kevin McGlinchy, LHP Matt Perisho, LHP Chris Peters, OF-S Adrian Brown, UT-R Justin Baughman, 2B-R Jay Canizaro, C-R Charlie Greene, C-R Chairon Isenia, OF-L Ryan Jackson, C-L Sandy Martinez, OF-R Chad Mottola, and C-R Angel Pena.

Cedrick Bowers signed with Tampa as a nondrafted free agent out of high school in 1996 and chose not to leave the organization as a minor league free agent this year. After he struggled with his control as a starter in AAA in 2001, the Devil Rays moved him to relief work in 2002. He excelled in the role, compiling a 79:43 K:BB with 75 H in 69.1 IP for a 3.12 ERA. The only problem in the 24-year-old's skill set was with the 9 HR he allowed. However, I think he's a strong candidate for a lefty relief job in the major league pen.

Lesli Brea also displayed strong skills in AAA last season, though he was with the Orioles. The 24-year-old compiled a 75:37 K:BB with 81 H and 4 HR allowed in 86.2 IP for a 3.22 ERA, which should earn him a shot at a middle relief job in Spring Training. Jeremi Gonzalez should give Brea some competition for the bullpen job, as the 27-year-old put together a 93:39 K:BB with 86 H and 8 HR in 92 IP for a 3.33 ERA at AAA Oklahoma last season.

Mike James made the unfortunate career choice of signing with the Rockies last season. He didn't pitch that poorly while in the majors, but the 35-year-old spent most of the year at AAA Colorado Springs. He's not outstanding in any way, however James can hold a job as a major league middle reliever. I expect him to compete for a spot in the bullpen in Spring Training.

Kevin McGlinchy missed last season following shoulder surgery, but once he's completed his rehab, he could make an impact as a starter or a reliever with the team. However, the 25-year-old should spend at least half the season in AAA.

Matt Perisho performed poorly during his brief stint with the Tigers, but the 27-year-old's minor league stats indicate he could a solid if not dominant lefty reliever. Considering the Devil Rays don't have an abundance of established southpaws, Perisho could easily spend some time in the Tampa pen in 2003.

Chris Peters only pitched at AA Erie for Detroit last season. The 30-year-old can be dominant, but even when he's able to maintain good control, he allows too many hits. Consequently, the Devil Rays would be much better served with Perisho.

Pittsburgh failed to appreciate Adrian Brown's skills and released him after the season. The 28-year-old has demonstrated excellent plate discipline throughout his career, and although he lacks power, Brown has decent speed skills. Tampa would be wise to give Brown a starting job in the outfield out of Spring Training and leave Rocco Baldelli in the minors for at least half the season.

Justin Baughman can cover every position with the exception of catcher. However, the 28-year-old's weak plate discipline prevents him from utilizing his speed skills and he only possesses minimal power. Tampa's shown an affinity for versatile players in the past, but I suspect Baughman will spend most if not all of the season in AAA.

I really thought Jay Canizaro would stick with the Twins in the majors last season, but Minnesota relegated him to the minors in June and he never returned. While his plate discipline has been promising in the past, he hasn't recently shown much patience. However, the 29-year-old possesses some power skills and had a bit of speed prior to suffering knee problems. Consequently, he could receive a call-up if the Devil Rays have an injury at second.

Moving from one Florida organization to the other, Charlie Greene's only offensive value lies in a moderate amount of power. He should spend the season at AAA as injury insurance, but the Devil Rays don't yet have a back-up catcher, so he might receive the opportunity to compete for the position in Spring Training. Another catcher without offensive skills, I expect the 30-year-old Sandy Martinez to compete with Greene for the back-up role. The 25-year-old Angel Pena should have an edge over both, as he has the best offense of the bunch. However with Toby Hall as the starter, Tampa may look for a strong defensive back-up.

Tampa signed Chairon Isenia as a nondrafted free agent out of the Netherlands Antilles in 1996. Like Bowers, the 23-year old could have left the organization as a minor league free agent this year but instead chose to re-sign. Isenia spent last year at A+ where he demonstrated very few offensive skills. He appears to be a defensive catcher, unlikely to play above AA in 2003.

The Devil Rays seem to have hooked onto players leaving the Tigers' system. Jackson has no plate discipline, but has shown promising power skills in the past and some speed. The 31-year-old seems to be just an older version of the toolsy outfielders that fill the Tampa's minors.

Chad Mottola spent last season with Toronto, where he failed to receive a call-up even during their outfield shortage. However, the 31-year-old has acceptable plate discipline and moderate power skills. Brown should certainly earn a job before him, but Mottola could provide Tampa with a decent reserve outfielder in case of injury.

Meanwhile Florida has signed C-R Paul Hoover, OF-R Robert Stratton, C-R Matt Treanor, RHP Toby Borland, and RHP Allen Levrault to minor league contracts.

Paul Hoover spent a brief time in the majors with Tampa last year. The 26-year-old isn't an offensive catcher. I expect him to spend 2003 in AAA baring severe injury troubles at the major league level. On the other hand, Matt Treanor has solid plate discipline and moderate power potential, so provided his defense isn't abysmal, I'd much prefer he receive a call-up.

Robert Stratton went to Colorado from the Mets as a part of the trade involving Jay Payton and John Thomson. As I said then, the 25-year-old has good power potential but horrible plate discipline. I don't expect him to break into the Marlin outfield.

Toby Borland was also in the Marlins' system last season. The 33-year-old performed quite well at AAA Calgary in 2002, compiling a 75:30 K:BB with 55 H and 2 HR allowed in 701 IP for a 2.96 ERA, so he'd appears to be a decent candidate for a middle relief job. Allen Levrault doesn't have great stuff, but the 25-year-old's skills are sufficient that he could help Florida as a spot starter.