MLB Notebook | Marlins may inspire Devil Rays

San Diego general manager Kevin Towers expressed a growing sentiment regarding the success of the Florida Marlins with their $14.6 million payroll.

"I'm sure there are some owners who are looking at it going, 'If they can do it, why can't we?' " he told the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The other Florida team might be getting that message. Devil Rays principal owner Stuart Stenberg said this past week that the Rays will increase their payroll significantly next year only if they feel it will make them substantially better. (Hint: It won't.)

Otherwise, the Rays can be expected to open next season with a team, and payroll, similar to this year's, which weighed in at around $28 million and is headed to 95-plus losses.

The Rays, who have some of the best young prospects in baseball, had initially indicated their payroll would rise about 10 to 15 percent annually, but Sternberg told the St. Petersburg Times he doesn't want to spend money just to say they spent it. It's a valid stance in contrast to teams like the Pirates and Royals, who threw money at fading veterans like Joe Randa, Jeromy Burnitz, Reggie Sanders and Doug Mientkiewicz.

Royals owner David Glass, meanwhile, pledged a payroll increase into the low-$50 million range for 2007. Glass has been buoyed by the improvement of the Royals, who entered the weekend just two games under .500 (41-43) since hitting rock bottom at 16-47 on June 13. The payroll increase would be a modest one over this year's $47.3 million.

"I'm encouraged," Glass told the Kansas City Star, "and I love the attitude. There is an air of optimism around here, throughout the whole organization, top to bottom, that we haven't had. And I love that."

Indeed, the future finally looks brighter for the Royals, who seem to have a budding star in third baseman Mark Teahen, and two tremendous prospects about to break in — third baseman Alex Gordon (whose arrival is expected to move Teahen to the outfield) and outfielder Billy Butler.

High jinks must go on

It was a strange scene in the Twins clubhouse after Wednesday's game, a loss to the Athletics that had the devastating blow of a season-ending injury to rookie pitcher Francisco Liriano.

As reporters packed the Twins clubhouse to interview a despondent Liriano, the team's rookies were undergoing the traditional hazing ceremony of wearing gaudy costumes to start a road trip.

Infielder Alexi Casilla was dressed like Bam Bam, complete with plastic club. Josh Rabe was outfitted as a beer keg with bare legs, while Boof Bonser wore a big wig and big glasses to go with a skimpy outfit.

"Yes, it's a weird game," Twins veteran Michael Cuddyer told reporters. "I think we all feel bad for Frankie. But this isn't going to affect us as much as it's going to affect him."

A wild promised land

Tigers manager Jim Leyland has talked often this year about taking the Tigers to the "Promised Land." Now he's saying that the destination he has in mind is not necessarily the AL Central championship. In his mind, a wild-card berth qualifies as the "Promised Land," which might be a common-sense reaction to the Tigers' ongoing slump.

"I've got a pretty nice ring, being the wild card, with all the diamonds on it," he told reporters.

He is referring to the 1997 Florida Marlins, who finished second in the NL East to the Atlanta Braves and ended up winning the World Series.

College students pitch in

for ailing Lester

Four college students from the Boston area have launched a worthy project in support of Jon Lester, the Tacoma-bred pitcher with the Red Sox who is battling lymphoma.

The four women, who attend Northeastern University, Fisher College and Emmanuel College, are selling silicone bracelets and donating all proceeds to the Jimmy Fund in Lester's name.

The Jimmy Fund is a longtime charity in the Boston area associated with the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, where Lester is receiving treatment.

Details can be found at www.thelesterproject.com or www.thelesterproject.blogspot.com.