Rays Pay Amateur $10.2 Million

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays agreed to the largest contract ever for an amateur baseball player, signing high school pitcher Matt White for a $10.2 million bonus.

White, 18, was taken by San Francisco Giants last June with the seventh pick of the amateur draft. He became a free agent in September on a technicality - the Giants failed to mail him a formal contract within 15 days of the draft. The 6-foot-5 right-hander had a 0.65 ERA last season at Waynesboro (Pa.) High School. His fastball has been clocked at 95-96 mph.

If the cost of the ballpark project for the Seattle Mariners exceeds $384 million, the owners of the Major League baseball team will pay the overrun.

The agreement announced Monday came the same day the Public Facilities District, which is in charge of building the new stadium, formally approved the $384 million estimate, up from an earlier figure of $320 million. The $384 million includes $20.5 million for a parking garage adjacent to the ballpark.

Paul Isaki, vice president of the Mariners, said the team agreed to the terms because it believes the current cost estimates will hold up.

The Seattle Mariners have acquired switch-hitting outfielder Lee Tinsley from the Boston Red Sox for a minor leaguer to be named later.

Tinsley, 27, began the 1996 season with the Philadelphia Phillies, posting a .135 batting average in 31 games. He was traded to the Red Sox in June and had a .245 average in 92 games, scoring 28 runs. Tinsley made his Major League debut with Seattle in 1993.

The Atlanta Braves, looking to lighten their payroll after re-signing Cy Young Award winner John Smoltz, traded reliever Greg McMichael to the New York Mets for pitcher Paul Byrd and a player to be named.