Tokyo game subtracts 2 from Trop

The Devil Rays' tradeoff for opening the season in Japan is likely to be the loss of two April home games against the Yankees.

After meeting with Major League Baseball officials in New York on Friday, managing general partner Vince Naimoli said he was optimistic details of the trip would be finalized.

"I don't know of any reason why it won't happen," Naimoli said. "But from what I gather MLB is still waiting to hear from the Yankees. I know MLB wants to do it and is still optimistic as well."

Because the March 30-31 games in the Tokyo Dome would be relocated Tampa Bay home games, the Rays will play only 79 at Tropicana Field. Naimoli said what had been a scheduled four-game series with the Yankees on April 12-15 likely will be reduced to two games.

While MLB will reimburse the Rays, Naimoli said the team will find ways to compensate its sponsors, season-ticket holders and the City of St. Petersburg.

"We haven't started talking about that yet, but our concept would be that everyone would have to be made whole," Naimoli said.

The Rays and Yankees would also miss at least eight days of spring training games.

Assuming an agreement can be reached with the Yankees, the trip is expected to be made official and announced next week.

A-ROD FOR RAMIREZ?: The Red Sox are discussing acquiring AL MVP Alex Rodriguez from the Rangers for Manny Ramirez.

"There seems to be a focus that often leads to successful deals," Ramirez's agent, Jeff Moorad, said.

Moorad confirmed Boston and Texas are talking. But he added: "I've stayed in touch with both clubs over the last few days, and neither seemed optimistic today that a deal was imminent."

BRAVES: Midnight Sunday is the deadline for teams to offer arbitration to their former players who became free agents. The Braves made the offer a year ago and starter Greg Maddux accepted, agreeing two months later to a $14.75-million, one-year deal.

But with the team in a cost-cutting mode, the Braves apparently will let the deadline pass without giving Maddux a chance to return to Atlanta for a 12th season.

The team re-signed reliever Jaret Wright to an $850,000, one-year contract. He wasn't a free agent but was eligible for arbitration.

DIAMONDBACKS: Infielder Carlos Baerga re-signed, agreeing to a $1-million, one-year contract.

GIANTS: Right-handed reliever Matt Herges agreed to a $2.5-million, two-year contract. He gets $1-million next season and $1.5-million in 2005.

MARLINS: Free-agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez appears likely to leave the world champions after proposing a $40-million, four-year contract during telephone negotiations with owner Jeffrey Loria.

"We are not optimistic at this point that we are going to be able to reach resolution on a contract before Sunday night at midnight," general manager Larry Beinfest said. "The financial goals of Pudge and the Marlins are significantly apart at this time."

Reserve infielder Lenny Harris agreed to a minor-league contract and will be invited to camp.

PIRATES: Outfielder Jason Bay had surgery on his right shoulder and is expected to be ready for the start of the season.

TIGERS: Dean Palmer agreed to a minor-league contract that gives the oft-injured third baseman a chance to win a job on the major-league roster.

- Information from Associated Press was used in this report.