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ST. PETERSBURG - The Devil Rays expect by tonight to know whether to continue talks with Carl Everett or move on to Juan Gonzalez and/or Jose Cruz.
General manager Chuck LaMar said the counterproposal he gets from agent Larry Reynolds should tell him whether it's worth continuing discussions about the switch-hitting Tampa native.
"Depending on what they come back with as part of the negotiations, we'll have a feel immediately if Carl has a chance to be a Devil Ray or not and whether we should continue to negotiate or move on," LaMar said.
Neither side will discuss details of Tuesday's opening offer, which is for one year and an option. If the Rays offered $3-million and Everett is looking for $4.5-million, there may be middle ground. But if the Rays offered $3-million and Everett thinks he can get $6-million from one of the half-dozen teams that have called, there probably isn't. The Rays went into the offseason with about $10-million to spend and plan several other additions.
"Our ambition is to get better offensively and we'd like to have Carl, but if he's looking for something we cannot provide within our budget, obviously we have to move on," LaMar said. "It's good for him and the Devil Rays to know. This speeds up the process."
Reynolds, who will arrive in New Orleans today for the winter meetings, said there was nothing new to discuss.
Wednesday, the Rays announced that infielder/outfielder Eduardo Perez passed his physical exam and that his two-year, $1.7-million deal was official.
Perez, a Florida State product, said he left the Cardinals and chose the Rays over four other teams for several reasons.
"It was the commitment; (manager) Lou (Piniella) calling and Chuck keeping in touch and calling from the get-go," Perez said. "It was just more like a family atmosphere over here. There's a lot of potential and a lot of young talent here. I believe if the talent gels together we can create some great things."
According to reports out of Japan, former Rays pitcher Ryan Rupe is expected to sign this weekend with the Nippon Ham Fighters.
PROSPECT ARRESTED: Devil Rays prospect Elijah Dukes was arrested Monday on a misdemeanor assault charge. Hillsborough Sheriff's deputies said Dukes, 19, of Tampa went to the Valrico home of his child's mother at 9 a.m. He wanted to take the child, authorities said, and he and the mother got into an argument. Deputies said Dukes threw a remote control at the woman, but the device did not strike her. He was charged with assault, booked into the county jail and released on his own recognizance. Dukes, an outfielder, was a third-round pick in 2002.
Pettitte likely to leave YanksHOUSTON - Left-hander Andy Pettitte took a physical for the Astros and appears poised to sign a three-year, $30-million contract, well below his market value, to pitch close to home, the Hartford Courant reported.
Alan and Randy Hendricks, Pettitte's agents, assured the Yankees that no deal was done, leaving the door ajar for them to make a last-ditch offer.
Meanwhile, Gary Sheffield said he is confident he will sign with the Yankees despite differences that have jeopardized the deal. "We'll get it done," Sheffield said.
MATSUI DEAL FINALIZED: Japanese shortstop Kazuo Matsui officially joined the Mets. Matsui finalized his $20.1-million, three-year contract with a team trying to rebuild after consecutive last-place finishes.
HALL OF FAME GAME: The Braves will play the Twins on June 14 in the game at Cooperstown, N.Y.
BREWERS: Manager Ned Yost was given a contract extension through 2005.
EXPOS: The team said it's close to signing an agreement to move 22 games to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for a second straight season. The games would be over three homestands before the All-Star break.
RANGERS: Texas found a replacement for Rafael Palmeiro, agreeing to $1-million, one-year contract with first baseman Brad Fullmer.
ROCKIES: The team is bringing back one of its most popular players, agreeing to a $2.1-million, one-year contract with third baseman Vinny Castilla. He was a two-time All-Star with Colorado, then struggled in a season-plus with the Devil Rays before reviving his career with the Braves.
TIGERS: Two-time Gold Glove-winning second baseman Fernando Vina agreed to a $6-million, two-year contract.
- Times staff writer Tamara Lush contributed to this report, which also used information from Times wires.