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Rays swap arbitration numbers

By MARC TOPKIN

© St. Petersburg Times, published January 19, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG -- While Yankees star Derek Jeter filed an arbitration record $18.5-million salary request, the Devil Rays exchanged some smaller, but still interesting, figures with their four arbitration-eligible players Thursday.

The largest request, as expected, came from pitcher Albie Lopez, who was inserted in the rotation out of necessity and emerged as one of the team's top starters last season, going 11-13, 4.13 ERA overall, 9-9, 3.89 as a starter. Lopez, who made $920,000 last season, is seeking $3.45-million. The Rays are offering $2.5-million.

The largest percentage increase is being sought by pitcher Bryan Rekar, who went 7-10 with a 4.41 ERA in an inconsistent season. After making $280,000 last season, Rekar is seeking a 525 percent raise to $1.75-million. The Rays are offering $1.2-million.

Outfielder Jose Guillen, who seems to be the odd man out after the acquisition of Ben Grieve, is seeking $1.150-million while the Rays offered $800,000. He hit .253 with 10 homers and 41 RBI while making $375,000.

Esteban Yan, projected as the closer after bouncing between the rotation and the bullpen in a struggle-filled season, filed for $750,000, the lowest request of all players, while the Rays offered $550,000. He made $265,000 last season.

Overall, 63 players exchanged figures with their teams. Typically, the cases are settled before the arbitration hearings are held in February. Last season, 90 players filed and only 10 went to a hearing, in which an arbitrator picks one figure or the other.

The Rays have avoided hearings their first three seasons.

Jeter, who made $10-million last season, will set a record for a one-year salary whether he wins, loses or settles in the middle.

The $4.25-million between Jeter's request and the Yankees offer was the largest. The smallest was the $100,000 difference between what Boston catcher Scott Hatteberg sought ($1.1-million) and what the Red Sox offered.

The other Yankee player left in arbitration, closer Mariano Rivera, asked for $10.25-million, which would be a record one-year salary for a reliever. The Yankees offered him $9-million.

ATHLETICS: Johnny Damon, the outfielder obtained from the Royals on Jan. 8, agreed to a $7.1-million, one-year contract. He will be a free agent after the season.

BLUE JAYS: Right-hander Esteban Loaiza ($10.3-million), designated hitter Brad Fullmer ($6.5-million) and outfielder Jose Cruz ($6.3-million) agreed to two-year contracts.

BRAVES: All-Star outfielder Andruw Jones is asking for a raise from $3.7-million to $8.2-million after his best season. The Braves offered $6.4-million. John Rocker, who finished with 24 saves and a 2.89 ERA, asked for a raise from $290,000 to $2.98-million. The Braves offered $1.9-million.

CUBS: Former All-Star Joe Carter was hired as a television analyst. He will provide color commentary for broadcasts on WGN.

DODGERS: Chan Ho Park agreed to a $9.9-million, one-year contract. He was 18-10 with a 3.27 ERA and finished the season with a 25 scoreless inning streak. ... Free agent Ramon Martinez, 32, signed a one-year deal with a guaranteed salary of $1.5-million. He can earn $3.5-million in bonuses.

INDIANS: Steve Karsay, who could move into the rotation, agreed to a $2.7-million, one-year contract. He was 5-9 with a 3.76 ERA and made 20 saves.

MARLINS: Rightfielder Mark Kotsay agreed to a one-year contract worth $2.125-million. He hit .298 with 12 home runs, 57 RBI and 19 steals, and he led the majors in outfield assists (19).

ROYALS: First baseman Mike Sweeney agreed to a $13-million, two-year deal. He set a club record last season with 144 RBI -- second in the American League -- and hit .333 with 29 home runs.

TWINS: Minnesota avoided arbitration with outfielder Matt Lawton, agreeing to a $3.9-million, one-year contract.

WHITE SOX: James Baldwin, who won a career-high 14 games, agreed to a $5.95-million, one-year deal and first baseman Paul Konerko to a $6.1-million, two-year deal to avoid arbitration.

- Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

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