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By MARC TOPKIN, Times Staff WriterHard-throwing Cuban, available because Indians wanted to trim salary, is expected to be closer.
ST. PETERSBURG - Having the lowest payroll in the major leagues forces the Devil Rays to be creative and opportunistic in their efforts to improve, and they appeared to do so again, taking advantage of situation and circumstance to land former Cleveland closer Danys Baez.
The deal, expected to be announced today, guarantees the 26-year-old right-hander $6.5-million for two years and could be worth up to $10.5-million with incentives and a 2006 option.
Baez, who made $5.125-million last season while saving 25 games, was available only because the Indians decided he made too much money. Yet in baseball's new market-adjusted economy, the Rays were able to get him because he was willing to take less money.
The contract, which is pending Major League Baseball approval, calls for salaries of $1.5-million in 2004 and $3.5-million in 2005, a $500,000 signing bonus, and the chance for $250,000 in incentives each season. In 2006, Baez will get a $1-million buyout or a $4-million salary and $500,000 in incentives.
Agent Joe Cubas said seven or eight teams expressed interest and Baez narrowed the field to three by Saturday. "It was a tough decision for Danys, but I think when he took a good look at all the circumstances, the opportunity the three clubs had to offer, and his personal situation, married and expecting their first baby, Tampa Bay was the obvious choice," Cubas said. "I think it's a perfect fit."
The Rays were interested when Baez defected from the Cuban national team in 1999, but he chose a four-year, $14.5-million offer from Cleveland. He was bounced between the bullpen and the rotation during his 21/2 seasons in the majors, going 17-23 with a 3.92 ERA and 31 saves in 44 chances. He was moved out of the closer's job near the end of last season on his way to matching the major-league high with 10 blown saves.
The Indians said they wanted to bring him back in 2004 as a setup man, but not at anywhere near his previous salary. They first declined his $5-million option, then tried to circumvent rules that prevented them from cutting his salary to less than $4.1-million (a 20 percent reduction) by outrighting him to Triple A, then returning him to the 40-man roster. The players union objected, and rather than fight a grievance and risk paying millions in damages, the Indians let him become a free agent Dec. 20 by not tendering a contract.
Baez will take over closing duties from Lance Carter, who is expected to move into a setup role. Though their 2003 stats were not much different - Baez was 2-9 with a 3.81 ERA and converted 25 of 35 saves; Carter 7-5, 4.33, and 26-of-33 - Baez is more of a prototypical hard-throwing closer, with a fastball routinely in the mid to upper 90 mph range.
"One of the keys to the decision was that they very clearly stated Danys was coming here to be the closer," Cubas said. "Speaking with (general manager) Chuck (LaMar) and (manager) Lou (Piniella), and looking what the club has done in the winter, there's no question we feel the club has been upgraded tremendously, and we looked at that."
Baez was at Tropicana Field on Monday and passed a physical. Cubas said final contract language should be resolved today.
Also:
The Rays had been in talks to bring back former fan favorite Bubba Trammell, but the free-agent outfielder chose to sign with the Dodgers on the promise of more playing time. Trammell spent the second half of last season on the restricted list after mysteriously leaving the Yankees.
Monday was the opening of the 11-day window for players to file for arbitration. The Rays have three eligible players, Aubrey Huff, Jeremi Gonzalez and Damian Rolls.
Recent minor-league free-agent signings include first baseman Ivan Cruz, infielder Jose Velazquez, catcher Charion Isenia and pitchers Rich Loiselle, Rob Stanifer and Melqui Torres.