MLB Franchise Notes: D’Rays Dump More Than $10M In Payroll

D’Rays Payroll Continues To Drop With Huff Trade

The D’Rays, after trading 3B Aubrey Huff and his $6.9M salary to the Astros for minor league prospects, have “dumped about” $10.5M in payroll since the start of the season, “which leaves them slightly below” $25M (Jan Hubbard, FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 7/14).

HOCUS FOCUS: In Denver, Joyzelle Davis reports Colorado Springs-based religious group Focus on the Family is organizing a grassroots effort to stop Liberty Media Chair John Malone, who it called a “porn magnate,” from acquiring the Braves. The group cited Liberty’s ownership of the hotel-room movie service On Command, which “offers adult movies along with a menu of Hollywood blockbusters, Internet access and games.” Focus on the Family is “encouraging members to lobby [MLB] owners against the transaction at their meeting next month.” As of Thursday, MLB had received fewer than 20 calls (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 7/14).

BOOZE, YOU LOSE: A’s GM Billy Beane “has banned club-provided free beer” from both clubhouses at McAfee Coliseum after P Esteban Loaiza was recently arrested on suspicion of drunk driving (USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY, 7/13 issue).

WALK THE WALK: In Detroit, Lynn Henning reported the Tigers are on pace to “set a record for Comerica Park attendance,” surpassing the 2.53 million from the ballpark’s inaugural season in ’00. The team began this season with 9,800 season-ticket holders, compared to 16,800 in ’00 (DETROIT NEWS, 7/13).