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Baseball briefs

Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 11, 2000

Bosox retain Everett

BOSTON -- Carl Everett's $9.15-million option for 2003 was exercised by the Red Sox, who also exercised reliever Rod Beck's $4.5-million option for 2001.

Everett, from Hillsborough High, led Boston with 34 home runs and 108 RBI last season despite missing 25 games. But he often attracted more attention with his temper, yelling at reporters and manager Jimy Williams and teammates, and getting suspended for 10 games for a confrontation with an umpire.

Recent reports said that Everett told his agent, Larry Reynolds, he no longer could play for Williams. But on Friday, the club released a statement from Everett saying he looked forward to continuing his career in Boston.

Rays sign two

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Devil Rays announced the signing of two Triple-A veterans to minor-league contracts.

First baseman/outfielder Chris Hatcher, who has hit 226 home runs in the minors, and first baseman Ron Wright, who has 101 minor-league home runs, will get spring training invitations. Both would be long shots to make the major-league roster.

Hatcher, 31, has played 11 minor-league seasons for five organizations. The Pacific Coast League MVP when he hit 46 homers for Omaha in 1998, Hatcher is 1-for-15 in the majors.

Wright, 24, has spent seven years in the minors with Atlanta, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.

Ramirez hits market

Manny Ramirez's agent, Jeff Moorad, turned down Cleveland's seven-year, $119-million contract offer and said the outfielder will go to the free-agent market. "It's not a deal that's going to come together at this point," Moorad said.

On Thursday, the Indians countered Moorad's 10-year, $200-million contract demand with a seven-year proposal that would have made Ramirez baseball's highest-paid player at more than $17-million a season.

Also, minor-league coach Joel Skinner was promoted and is likely to take over Jim Riggleman's duties as third-base coach.

ANGELS: Tim Salmon had arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder and should be ready for the start of spring training.

CARDINALS: Closer Dave Veres agreed to a one-year contract extension through 2002 that guarantees him about $5.25-million. Veres, 34, the team's closer, had been signed for next year at $1.4-million and would have been eligible for free agency after the 2001 season. The extension includes a team option for 2003.

DIAMONDBACKS: Coaches Dwayne Murphy and Glenn Sherlock will return on new manager Bob Brenly's staff.

REDS: Ron Oester, miffed when he was passed for manager, decided to stay on as a coach.

ORIOLES: Catcher Brook Fordyce signed a three-year contract, with an option for 2004.

ROCKIES: Bill Geivett was hired as director of player personnel. He replaces Mark Wiley, who left the team in October to become Orioles pitching coach.

As a Rays special assistant to the general manager from October 1996 to September 1998, Geivett helped develop ties between the team and Australia, the Far East and Latin America.

Also, Masato Yoshii agreed to a one-year contract after the team declined his $4-million option.

WHITE SOX: The team will increase ticket prices $2 to $4 a seat.

YANKEES: Paul O'Neill filed for free agency before the midnight deadline, but he and the Yankees tentatively agreed to a $6.5-million, one-year contract.

Also, Gary Denbo will replace Chris Chambliss, fired last week as batting coach. Denbo has been the organization's hitting coordinator since 1996.

STRAWBERRY A FREE AGENT: Darryl Strawberry, suspended from baseball and in a Hillsborough County jail for probation violation, ended his ties with the Yankees by filing for free agency. He remains on the restricted list, meaning he is ineligible to play.

- Staff writer John Romano contributed to this report.

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