M’S Sign Pitcher Fossas, Infielder Listach

Journeyman left-hander Tony Fossas and infielder Pat Listach, both free agents, were signed by the Seattle Mariners and added to the team’s 40-player roster Tuesday.

Fossas, 40, who was 2-7 with a 3.83 ERA in 71 games for St. Louis last season, was signed to a one-year contract with a club option for 1999. Since breaking into the majors with Texas in 1988, he is 16-21 with a 3.70 ERA in 521 games.

Listach, 30, split last season between Class AAA Buffalo, where he batted .260 in 25 games, and the Milwaukee Brewers, where he batted .182 in 52 games. He was signed to a one-year contract.

To make room on the roster, the Mariners designated outfielder Decomba Conner for assignment.

Other moves

The St. Louis Cardinals agreed to a $3.75 million, two-year contract with starting pitcher Kent Mercker.

The 29-year-old left-hander was 8-11 with a 3.92 ERA in 25 starts and three relief appearances last season with the Cincinnati Reds.

San Diego also added a starter, re-signing right-hander Pete Smith to an $850,000, one-year contract that gives him the chance to make $400,000 more in incentives.

He was 7-6 with a 4.81 ERA in 1997.

Minnesota agreed to a $1.45 million, one-year contract with 38-year-old right-hander Mike Morgan.

Morgan, 9-12 with a 4.78 ERA last season for Cincinnati, has a team option for $1.5 million to $1.8 million.

Oakland agreed to one-year deals with left-hander Mike Mohler ($525,000) and infielder Mike Blowers, and Anaheim agreed to a $475,000, one-year contract with switch-hitting catcher Matt Walbeck.

To complete the Nov. 11 trade in which they acquired outfielder Moises Alou from Florida, the Houston Astros sent right-hander Mark Johnson to the Marlins.

Baseball would let Twins move

Minnesota state officials met with three lawyers from major league baseball and said the sport is prepared to let the Minnesota Twins move to North Carolina after the 1998 season.

Twins owner Carl Pohlad, frustrated that the state Legislature didn’t approve funding for a new ballpark, is negotiating to sell the franchise to North Carolina businessman Don Beaver, who intends to move the team.

Baseball’s relocation committee could make a report to owners as early as Jan. 13-15, but it’s unlikely owners will vote on the proposed sale and move until voters in North Carolina’s Triad region decide May 5 on funding for a new stadium.

The timing gives the Legislature an opportunity to reconsider stadium funding during the 1998 session.