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© St. Petersburg Times, published January 30, 2002
ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays made a small deal Tuesday that could have a big payoff if outfielder Troy O'Leary returns to form.
O'Leary, a regular the past seven seasons with Boston, agreed to terms on a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training. The Rays also eliminated another potential arbitration case by signing Randy Winn to a one-year deal for $960,000.
O'Leary, 32, was at his best in 1999, hitting .280 for the Red Sox with 28 home runs and 103 RBIs. During the 1996-2000 seasons, he averaged 19 homers and 83 RBIs. Last season, he dropped to a .240 average with 13 home runs and 50 RBIs. He has a career .276 average.
"Troy is an experienced player and a good left-handed hitter, so this gives (manager) Hal McRae some added flexibility," general manager Chuck LaMar said. "Whether Troy fits in as a starting player, an extra player or if he makes the club is truly up to him."
The Rays already have something of a crowded outfield with Greg Vaughn, Ben Grieve, Jason Tyner and Winn, plus Damian Rolls and Jason Conti, who was acquired from Arizona.
With O'Leary, they would have additional depth, protection if they can find a taker for Vaughn or Grieve, and several lineup options since O'Leary is a better defensive player than Vaughn and Grieve and has more power than Tyner or Winn.
O'Leary, who made $14.5-million in the past four seasons and would have made $5.35-million in 2002 had the Red Sox picked up his option, was a victim of the slow free agent market. As a result, the Rays got him at a bargain rate -- a base salary believed to be in the $600,000-700,000 range, with a similar amount available in incentives.
Winn sought a $1.2-million salary while the Rays offered $750,000. They settled just below the midpoint, though Winn could earn an additional $40,000, and push his salary to $1-million, through incentives. Winn made $260,000 last season. Esteban Yan and Doug Creek remain in arbitration.
PITTSBURGH -- Much-traveled second baseman Pokey Reese reached a preliminary agreement on a two-year contract with the Pirates.
Reese took a physical Tuesday and the Pirates, who would become Reese's fourth club in six weeks, expect to announce the signing today or Thursday.
Reese, a two-time Gold Glove winner, could solve the Pirates' winterlong search for a second baseman and inject more speed into the lineup of a team coming off its first 100-loss season since 1985.
Also, the team invited 12 non-roster players to spring training, including pitchers Wayne Gomes and Brian Boehringer and outfielder Luis Polonia.
ANGELS: The team avoided arbitration with infielder Scott Spiezio by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $2,275,000.
ASTROS: Outfielder Lance Berkman, an All-Star for Houston last season, agreed to a $10.5-million, three-year contract.
BREWERS: Left-hander Takaki Nomura finalized his one-year contract, a deal that includes a team option for 2003 and guarantees the 33-year-old pitcher about $600,000.
DIAMONDBACKS: Curt Schilling was honored with the Hutch Award by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. The Hutch Award is given to the player who exemplifies the "fighting spirit and competitive desire" of Hutchinson, a major league manager who died of cancer in 1964.
PADRES: A lawsuit challenging plans to build a downtown ballpark was decided in favor of the team and the city after the plaintiff abruptly walked out of court before the trial began.
Robert Simmons, a retired law professor, and his lawyer left Superior Court in San Diego after Judge Frederic L. Link declined a delay.
The ruling clears the way for the city to sell $166-million in bonds within two weeks and resume ballpark construction as early as March.
PHILLIES: Outfielder Ricky Ledee agreed to a $750,000, one-year contract. Ledee, 28, became a free agent on Dec. 20 when Texas failed to offer a 2002 contract.
RANGERS: The team added another pitcher, agreeing to a minor-league contract with right-hander Dan Miceli.
REDS: Left-hander Lance Davis and outfielder Austin Kearns agreed to one-year contracts.
TWINS: The team agreed to a $545,000, one-year contract with Travis Miller, avoiding arbitration with the left-handed reliever.
YANKEES: Mike Thurman, who made 26 starts for Montreal last season, signed a minor-league contract and was invited to spring training. Thurman, 28, was 9-11 with a 5.33 ERA last year.
Also, pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, who came back from a stem-cell transplant last year, said he plans to retire after this season.
O'S-CHISOX TRADE: Outfielder Chris Singleton was sent from Chicago to Baltimore for minor league second baseman Willie Harris.
- Information from Times wires was used in this report.