ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Devil Rays traded outfielder Jose Cruz Jr. and cash to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday for left-hander Casey Fossum, then agreed to a one-year contract that guarantees the pitcher $1.05 million.
In addition, Tampa Bay agreed to a $1.3 million, one-year deal with free-agent first baseman Travis Lee.
Cruz hit .242 with 21 home runs and 78 RBIs for the Devil Rays last season. He has 175 homers and 535 RBIs during eight seasons with Seattle, Toronto, San Francisco and Tampa Bay.
Cruz won a Gold Glove with the Giants in 2003, but is also remembered for his dropped fly ball in the 11th inning of Game 3 of the division series against Florida. The error allowed the Marlins to rally for a 4-3 victory on their way to the World Series.
Fossum joined the Diamondbacks last offseason as the key prospect in the trade that sent Curt Schilling to Boston. The lefty started 27 games for Arizona, going 4-15 with a 6.65 ERA. He struck out 117 and walked 63 in 142 innings.
Fossum, eligible for salary arbitration for the first time, agreed to a contract that calls for a $950,000 salary this year. The deal contains a mutual option for $1.25 million with a $100,000 buyout, and the price of the option would rise to $1.4 million if he has 15 or more starts this year. If Fossum declines the option, he would not get the buyout.
He made $345,000 last year and was asking for $1.35 million. The Diamondbacks had filed at $800,000, and a hearing was scheduled for Monday.
Lee made $2 million with the New York Yankees last season but played in just seven games after tearing the labrum in his left shoulder during spring training. He had just two hits in 19 at-bats.
Lee had 19 homers and 70 RBIs for Tampa Bay in 2003 and has 92 homers and 408 RBIs in parts of seven season with Arizona, Philadelphia, the Devil Rays and Yankees. His new deal allows him to make an additional $200,000 in performance bonuses.
To make room for Lee, the Devil Rays designated outfielder Matt Diaz for assignment.
