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Rays add depth with SS Caruso

By MARC TOPKIN

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 14, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays added some depth and increased the competition among their infielders by signing former White Sox shortstop Mike Caruso to a minor-league contract.

Caruso, more impressive with the bat than the glove, will join a crowded field. The Rays have slick-fielding Felix Martinez returning at shortstop and are expecting big things from rookie second baseman Brent Abernathy. They also have Russ Johnson, Bobby Smith, Ozzie Guillen, Damian Rolls and Mike Metcalfe competing for one or two reserve spots.

"We've always liked Mike Caruso's ability," Rays general manager Chuck LaMar said. "Whether he starts the season at the Triple-A level or the major-league level is up to him."

Making the jump from Class A to the majors, Caruso hit .306 for the Sox in 1998, knocking in 55 runs and stealing 22 bases. He made a league-high 35 errors but still finished third in the AL Rookie of the Year voting.

Caruso was Chicago's everyday shortstop again in 1999, hitting .250 with 29 errors, but spent last season with Triple-A Charlotte, hitting .246 in 88 games.

The White Sox, who re-signed Jose Valentin and acquired Royce Clayton from Texas, designated Caruso for assignment in December. He was quickly claimed by the Mariners, who had the claim voided five days later because of concerns about Caruso's back.

Rays medical officials, having examined Caruso's records and spoken with his doctor, said he is ready to go.

Caruso, 24, was a second-round pick by the Giants in 1996 and was traded to the Sox as part of the nine-player deal that involved Wilson Alvarez and Roberto Hernandez.

With spring training set to open Saturday, the Rays have 71 players on the roster. LaMar said there is a chance they could add a pitcher.

Yankees sign defector

NEW YORK -- The Yankees have added another Cuban defector, agreeing to a major-league contract with third baseman Andy Morales, the Associated Press reported.

The deal is worth more than $4-million over four years, AP reported. The Yankees would not confirm the deal.

Morales, who hopes to compete with incumbent Scott Brosius, has been assigned No. 87 and was listed on a roster at the spring training complex in Tampa, where pitchers and catchers report today.

Morales, 26, hit a three-run, ninth-inning homer at Camden Yards two years ago when Cuba's national team beat the Orioles 12-6 in an exhibition game. He was among 30 Cubans intercepted at sea near Key West in June by a Coast Guard cutter and sent back to Cuba, but he made it to the United States the following month, landing on the Marquesas, a group of islands near Key West.

Morales becomes the third major Cuban defector signed by the Yankees, joining Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, who has been with the team since 1998, and Adrian "El Duquecito" Hernandez, who will be in spring training this year.

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