Tampa Bay Devil Rays
The Devil Rays accomplished two important goals when they signed
                          righthander Juan Guzman to a two-year contract on Friday night -- they
                          added the No. 1 quality-type pitcher they felt the needed to lead the staff, and they are able
                          to drop the rest of their starters into slots in which they should be more effective.

                          Guzman, 33, offers the Rays durability and a track record of success when it matters most.
                          Guzman pitched 411 innings over the past two seasons, starting 33 games each time. He is
                          likely to take the top spot in the rotation, and will be followed by Wilson Alvarez, Ryan
                          Rupe and some combination of Esteban Yan, Dan Wheeler, Chad Ogea, Bryan Rekar and
                          Dave Eiland in the Nos. 4 and 5 spots.

                          Having traded away top righthanded starter Rolando Arrojo in the process of making
                          significant improvement to their offense, the Rays felt they needed to make a move to bolster
                          the rotation in order to join the AL heavyweights in contention. And if they get there,
                          Guzman will be the right man to take the ball. He has a 5-1 record and 2.44 in eight career
                          postseason starts with the Blue Jays.

                          The Rays made their pitch to Guzman after being turned down by Aaron Sele and talking
                          with Steve Trachsel. Guzman, the 1996 AL ERA champion before undergoing arm surgery,
                          went 21-28 with a 4.05 ERA over the past two seasons with the Jays,
                                                                                Orioles and Reds.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Juan Guzman is guaranteed $12.5 million in his new two-year contract
with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, but much of the money is deferred.

Guzman, 33, was a combined 11-12 with a 3.74 ERA in 33 starts for Baltimore and Cincinnati.

He gets $6 million in each of the next two seasons under the deal agreed to Friday night, and Tampa Bay
has a $7 million option for 2002 with a $500,000 buyout.

In the first two years, $3 million a season is deferred at 3 percent interest, payable in the first and second
years after the contract ends.

If the option is exercised, $3.5 million of the 2002 salary is deferred until the third year after the contract
ends. The option would become guaranteed if he has 55 starts combined in the next two years, or 30
starts or 200 innings in 2001.

He also can earn $1 million per season in performance bonuses: $125,000 for 180 innings, $175,000 for
200 innings, $200,000 for 210 innings, $300,000 for 220 innings and $100,000 each for 32 and 34
starts.

Tampa Bay wanted a pitcher to replace Rolando Arrojo, traded last month to Colorado in a four-team
deal that brought hard-hitting third baseman Vinny Castilla. Guzman's contract includes a club option for a
third year.

The Devil Rays, who also signed slugger Greg Vaughn last month, are coming off a last-place finish in the
AL East, going 69-93 in their second season.

Guzman was traded from Baltimore to Cincinnati last July 31. He was 6-3 with a 3.03 ERA in 12 starts
for the Reds, helping them reach a wild-card playoff with the New York Mets.

The right-hander is 91-78 with a 4.03 ERA since making his major league debut with Toronto in 1991.
He has pitched 239 games, all of them starts.

Guzman pitched in the World Series for Toronto in 1992-93. He is 5-0 in five starts in the AL championship series.

Guzman led the AL with a 2.93 ERA in 1996 with the Blue Jays. He was an All-Star in 1992.

In addition, Tampa Bay agreed to one-year contracts with right-hander Cory Lidle and left-hander Tony Saunders, avoiding
salary arbitration.

The Devil Rays also designated outfielder Luke Wilcox for assignment. They have 10 days to trade, release or ask waivers on
him.