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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

O’S Sign Former Blue Jay Carter

From Wire Reports

As Boston celebrated its record $75 million contract with Pedro Martinez, the Baltimore Orioles added another bat to their lineup, agreeing to a $3.3 million, one-year deal with Joe Carter.

Baltimore, which lost the A.L. Championship Series in 1996 and 1997, hopes Carter will lead the Orioles to their first World Series appearance since 1983.

Carter, who spent the last seven years with the Blue Jays, said his agent was contacted Thursday by Orioles general manager Pat Gillick, who had been Toronto’s GM when the Blue Jays acquired the first baseman-outfielder from San Diego.

“I wanted to go out with a bang. This is a way to go out with a bang,” Carter said, looking forward to the usual sellout crowds at Camden Yards.

Carter, who will turn 38 in March, hinted this 15th season might be his last. He said Minnesota and Anaheim also expressed interest. In Baltimore, he joins former Blue Jays teammates Roberto Alomar and Jimmy Key.

“Joe Carter is one of the tough, clutch hitters in baseball,” Gillick said. “He is another veteran, a proven leader with a winning track record, whom we hope can help us take the next step forward this coming season.”

Giants hold onto lefty starter Rueter

Left-hander Kirk Rueter, one of the Giants’ most reliable starters, agreed to an $8.5 million, three-year contract.

Rueter, 27, went 13-6 with a 3.45 ERA last season, including a stretch of eight wins in his last 14 outings that helped the Giants win the N.L. West.

He established career highs in 1997 with 13 wins in 32 starts and 115 strikeouts.

Rueter gets $1.75 million in 1998, $2.75 million in 1999 and $4 million in 2000. He made $260,000 last season.

Roberts inks with Tigers

Bip Roberts, who plays both the infield and outfield, agreed to a $2.3 million, one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers.

Roberts spent most of last season in Kansas City before being traded to Cleveland in the Indians’ stretch run. In 120 games, Roberts hit .302 with four homers, 44 RBIs, 20 doubles and 18 steals.

Expos trade away big salary

The Montreal Expos shed another hefty salary, trading popular slugger Henry Rodriguez to the Chicago Cubs for right-handed pitcher Miguel Batista.

Rodriguez, 30, who made $2.3 million last season, agreed to a $2.7 million, one-year contract with the Cubs.

He hit .244 last season with 26 home runs and 83 RBIs.

Batista was 0-5 with a 5.80 ERA in 21 games during the final six weeks of the season for Chicago.

Mets, Twins make a deal

Looking for a backup outfielder, the New York Mets acquired Rich Becker from the Minnesota Twins for Alex Ochoa.

Becker, 26 next season, hit .264 with 10 homers and 45 RBIs in 443 at-bats this year.

Ochoa, also 26 next season, hit .244 with three homers and 22 RBIs in 238 at-bats.

Barfield new M’s coach

Former major league outfielder Jesse Barfield has been hired as the Seattle Mariners’ new hitting instructor.

He replaces Lee Elia, who retired at the end of the 1997 season. Elia was both hitting instructor and bench coach.

Barfield, 38, played 13 seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees. He was named to the American League All-Star team in 1986.

Twins add Nixon to lineup

Outfielder Otis Nixon agreed to a $2.3 million, one-year contract with the Minnesota Twins.