Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Johnson, Rays agree to terms

ST. PETERSBURG -- Rays infielder Russ Johnson avoided arbitration Friday by agreeing to terms on a two-year contract worth $1.35-million.

Johnson, who will make $575,000 next season and $775,000 in 2003, according to the Associated Press, is the second of five arbitration-eligible Rays players to reach terms.

Last season, he made $275,000 and hit .294 with four homers and 33 RBIs in 85 games. Johnson set career highs for RBIs, at-bats (248), hits (73), doubles (19), triples (2), and walks (34). When figures were exchanged last week, Johnson asked for $700,000 and the Rays offered $550,000.

Tampa Bay has three arbitration-eligible players: relievers Esteban Yan and Doug Creek and outfielder Randy Winn. The Rays have settled all previous cases. Pitcher Paul Wilson agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.2-million last week.

TED WILLIAMS UPDATE: Ted Williams was resting comfortably, recovering from flu-like symptoms that sent him to the hospital.

The Hall of Famer was in serious condition after being admitted Thursday to Shands Hospital at the University of Florida, Gainesville, with a high temperature and below-normal blood pressure. The hospital declined to release more details at the request of the family.

The former Red Sox star, a Citrus County resident, has had a series of strokes and congestive heart failure in recent years.

CONTRACTION: The Minnesota Supreme Court gave the operator of the Metrodome until Thursday to respond to the request by the Twins and Major League Baseball to have the court review the lower-court injunction forcing the team to play this season. Usually the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, the team's landlord, would have until Feb. 12 to respond to the petition. The Twins and MLB filed the petition after the state Court of Appeals voted 3-0 to uphold the injunction.

TRADE: David Bell, out of a job with the Mariners, was traded to the Giants for infielder Desi Relaford and cash. The Mariners didn't have a place for Bell after acquiring third baseman Jeff Cirillo from Colorado in a trade last month. The Giants acquired Relaford and outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo last month for left-handed pitcher Shawn Estes.

BREWERS: Outfielder Matt Stairs, who played for the Cubs last season, signed a one-year, $500,000 contract.

PIRATES: Outfielder Armando Rios, who played two games last season before injuring his left knee, agreed to a $925,000, one-year deal.

RANGERS: Juan Gonzalez passed his physical with no problems -- he has had back problems in the past -- but his two-year, $24-million deal wasn't finalized. Also, pitcher Justin Thompson agreed to a minor-league deal and was invited to spring training as a non-roster player.

RED SOX: Minor-league infielder Carlos Baerga, a three-time All-Star infielder in the 1990s, was invited to spring training. Former Boston outfielder Damon Buford and left-handed pitcher Buck Henry also were invited.

ROCKIES: A judge in Denver's U.S. Bankruptcy Court will decide Monday whether to approve the sale of a 23.5 percent interest of the team to the majority owners for $35-million. In a hearing Thursday, a trustee assigned to Oren Benton's bankruptcy case, David Beckman, testified he tried to get the best price.

TIGERS: Utilityman Shane Halter signed a two-year deal.

YANKEES: Bench coach Don Zimmer, a Treasure Island resident, will be honored Monday as New York Athletic Club Man of the Year.

- Information from Times wires was used in this report.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright