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© St. Petersburg Times, published January 19, 2002
ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays agreed to terms with Paul Wilson on a one-year, $1.2-million contract Friday before exchanging arbitration requests. Now they will spend the next few weeks trying to strike deals with four other arbitration-eligible players.
The most interesting discussions could involve Esteban Yan, who seeks an increase from $650,000 to $2.4-million after going 4-6 with a 3.90 ERA and blowing a league-high nine saves, converting 22. The Rays offered $1.5-million.
Outfielder Randy Winn, who made the most of his first full season in the majors, hitting .273 with six homers and 50 RBIs in 128 games and adding a team-high 12 outfield assists, filed for $1.2-million, and the Rays offered $750,000. He made $260,000 last season.
Left-handed setup man Doug Creek filed for $795,000 while the Rays offered $575,000. Creek, 32, was 2-5 with a 4.31 ERA in a career-high 66 games, making $260,000.
Infielder Russ Johnson, who made $270,000 last season, filed for $700,000 after hitting .294 with four homers and 33 RBIs in 85 games. The Rays offered $550,000.
If the team and player cannot agree, an arbitrator will pick one of the salaries in hearings slated for Feb. 4-21. The Rays have settled all previous cases but will proceed if necessary, general manager Chuck LaMar said.
Wilson, a right-hander who made $350,000 and went 8-9 with a 4.88 ERA, was markedly better in his last 12 starts (6-2, 2.55) than his first dozen (2-7, 8.43 ERA).
"We believe in Paul Wilson, and we believe the strong second half Paul had last year will carry over into the future," LaMar said. "We're glad to get him done and we think it's a fair contract for both sides."
Also, the Rays signed first baseman Brian Hunter and outfielders Emil Brown and Terry Jones to minor-league contracts.
Nominations are being accepted for the Tony Saunders Courage Award, given to an area student-athlete who best exemplifies "the courage, character, competitive desire and fighting spirit" of the former Rays pitcher. Call (727) 825-3242.