Rays welcome aboard veterans Damon, Ramirez

ST PETERSBURG, Florida, Feb 1 (Reuters) - The Tampa Bay Rays welcomed free agent outfieldersManny Ramirez(notes) and Johnny Damon(notes) to the fold Tuesday after signing the former World Series-winning Boston Red Sox team mates to their young squad.

The veterans, who helped the Red Sox break their long Fall Classic drought in 2004, both agreed to one-year deals, with Damon to be paid $5.25 million and Ramirez getting $2 million, Major League Baseball’s website (www.mlb.com) reported.

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Overruled! Cashman says Soriano was Hal’s idea

NEW YORK (AP)—In a move mirroring those of his famous father, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner overruled general manager Brian Cashman in giving a $35 million, three-year contract to Rafael Soriano(notes).

Distancing himself from the decision after a news conference Wednesday to introduce Mariano Rivera’s(notes)new setup man, Cashman said he didn’t think it was worth playing closer money for a pitcher the team plans to use in the eighth inning.

And the general manager didn’t want to lose his first-round pick in June’s amateur draft, which will now go to Tampa Bay as compensation.

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Washington Nationals introduce new 1B Adam LaRoche

WASHINGTON (AP)—At the news conference introducing him as the Washington Nationals’ first baseman,Adam LaRoche(notes) tried on a red cap with the curly white “W,” and it felt a little big. So he checked inside and, sure enough, saw it was the wrong size—7 3/4 instead of his usual 7 3/8.

Then, as is customary at such events, LaRoche donned his new team’s jersey, a white No. 25, but flubbed the buttons, missing the top one. When the first question from a reporter came, LaRoche paused before answering and adjusted the buttons, saying, “Hang on one second. Sorry. Having some issues today.”

Friday’s wardrobe problems aside, the Nationals are sure they found the right match in LaRoche, a free agent who agreed last week to a two-year deal with a mutual option for 2013. The contract reportedly guarantees him $16 million.

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Braves lock up Uggla, ready to challenge Phillies

ATLANTA (AP)—The Atlanta Braves signed the team’s richest contract in almost a decade on Thursday, handing Dan Uggla(notes) a $62 million, five-year deal.

The contract was a signal of intent by the Braves to take on the Philadelphia Phillies in the fight for the National League East division title in 2011.

“This team is ready to win right now,” Uggla said. “The core group is going to be here a long time. We have the pieces in place to win for a long time.”

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Beltre, Texas agree to $96M, 6-yr deal

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP)—Adrian Beltre(notes) is taking over as the everyday third baseman for the AL championTexas Rangers, and Michael Young(notes) is switching positions again.

The Rangers introduced Beltre as their new third baseman Wednesday after agreeing on a $96 million, six-year contract with the All-Star.

“We all know that the Rangers have a really good team. I want to win,” Beltre said. “The team is willing to do whatever it takes to get to the next step. That’s one of the factors to make my decision to come here easier.”

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Padres finalize $11.5M, 2-year deal with Hudson

SAN DIEGO (AP)—The San Diego Padres finalized their $11.5 million, two-year contract with second baseman Orlando Hudson(notes) on Monday.

The 33-year-old Hudson needed to pass a physical exam.

He spent the 2010 season with the Minnesota Twins and hit .268 with six home runs and 37 RBIs. He replaces David Eckstein(notes), who became a free agent.

“We’re thrilled to get him here to San Diego,” general manager Jed Hoyer said. “Our focus at the beginning of the offseason was really to strengthen ourselves up the middle. I think with the addition ofCameron Maybin(notes), Jason Bartlett(notes) and now, Orlando, we feel a ton better about our team up the middle. Orlando is a proven winner, a four-time Gold Glove winner and I think he’s going to bring a ton of offense to our team, a ton of defense and a ton of energy.

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Twins introduce new Japanese infielder Nishioka

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)—New Minnesota Twins signing Tsuyoshi Nishioka(notes) said he will accept either the second-base or shortstop roles as he begins his Major League Baseball career after starring in Japan.

Nishioka was introduced at a news conference Saturday, having signed a $9.25 million, three-year contract, which includes a club option for the 2014 season.

The 26-year-old Nishioka led his Japanese league last season with a .346 batting average. He’ll wear No. 1 for the Twins.

Minnesota’s first major acquisition from Japan, Nishioka had 32 doubles, eight triples, 11 home runs, 59 RBIs and 22 stolen bases in 596 at-bats and 144 games for the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Pacific League of Nippon Professional Baseball last season. He also scored a league-best 121 runs.

He realizes those numbers will be tough to duplicate in the majors, but he said he’s focused on helping the Twins win, not on his statistics.

“I believe my job is to step on home plate as much as possible,” Nishioka said through his translator. “To make that happen, whether it’d be walks, hit by pitch, getting knocks, I like to do my best to get on base to be able to do that. I feel I have the skills to help this team achieve that goal.”

The Twins submitted the highest bid, $5,329,000, to Chiba Lotte for the negotiating rights to Nishioka, who will be paid $3 million for each of the next three seasons. The Twins can exercise a $4 million option for 2014 or pay him a $250,000 buyout.

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