Reports Send Raines To Yanks

Tim Raines, a 36-year-outfielder for the Chicago White Sox, who was once one of baseball’s premier base-stealing threats, is set to join the New York Yankees. The White Sox and the Yankees just about completed the trade Wednesday night, with the White Sox to receive future considerations, a source told The Associated Press. The deal is expected to be announced today.

Ron Gant is guaranteed $25 million over five years by the St. Louis Cardinals, according to terms of his contract obtained by The Associated Press. The contract is the most lucrative total package among the 79 free agents who have signed new contracts.

Gant, who had a $3.5 million salary in 1995, will get $5 million in each of the next five seasons.

Eighty-one players remain eligible for arbitration to file from Jan. 5-15.

Boston outfielder Dwayne Hosey, not yet eligible for arbitration, got a $675,000, two-year contract from the Red Sox. Hosey, who was being courted by a Japanese team, gets $225,000 next season and $450,000 in 1997.

Right-handed pitcher Willie Blair agreed to a one-year contract with San Diego, a week after he was allowed to become a free agent.

It is believed the Padres’ offer to Blair was approximately $500,000. He made $325,000 last year.

Blair was 7-5 with a 4.34 ERA last season. Used exclusively out of the bullpen until Aug. 3, he moved into the rotation after Andy Benes was traded to Seattle.

The Orioles’ face lift continued on a smaller scale, when the club signed journeyman pitcher Keith Shepherd and Triple-A infielder Clay Bellinger to minor-league contracts.

Shepherd is a hard-throwing left-hander, who has been with nine organizations in his 10-year professional career. Bellinger is a utility infielder, who spent the past three seasons with the San Francisco Giants’ Triple-A club in Phoenix.