"The Cliff Lee deal, when it's all said and done, we're going to get major-league players out of that deal," assistant general manager Chuck LaMar said. "It might take longer than people wanted it to, but if we can keep Tyson Gillies on the field and healthy, there is the potential that all three of those guys will help us."
Gillies, still sidelined by a lingering hamstring issue that is expected to keep him out another two to four weeks, remains the biggest concern among the three players obtained for Lee.
The greatest reason for optimism, on the other hand, is Phillippe Aumont, the 6-foot-7 righthander who once ranked 83d among Baseball America's top prospects. After going a combined 3-11 with a 5.68 ERA last year at double-A Reading and single-A Clearwater, Aumont returned for spring training this year with renewed confidence.
"I showed up [for spring training] in early January, and I came in with a different mind-set," Aumont said. "Last year was a little different. It was a different environment, and I guess it affected some stuff. It shouldn't have, but I guess it happened. Now, I've moved on, and I'm ready to go this year."
LaMar said Aumont's transformation was visible from the moment the former first-round draft pick arrived in Clearwater.
"He was easily the most improved player in this year's camp," LaMar said. "He was coming off a successful stint pitching for the Canadian team in the World Cup, and we told him before he left last year that he was going to move back to the bullpen, which he wanted to do. You could tell a weight had been lifted. He felt that was the most efficient way to get to the major leagues."
