HAINES CITY, FLA. — Joe Randa is one baseball player who won't let money get in the way of happiness.
In an occupation famous for greed and disloyalty, where people holding $10 million contracts are quick to switch uniforms for $10,000,010, he is a citadel of sanity.
Potentially, Randa stood to make many millions next year as a free agent. Instead, Kansas City's modest third baseman agreed to take less than market value when he signed a two-year contract extension this month for about $9 million.
Based on current conditions in the baseball free agent market, Randa might have made an additional $7 million or $8 million had he waited a season to see what other teams would be willing to pay him.
"I'm a Midwestern guy. This is where I belong," Randa said. "This is where my heart is."
Most of all, Joe and Bethany Randa figure Kansas City is where they and their two young sons belong.
"To me, my worth is being with my family and being in a comfortable situation where I'm part of something," he said.
Randa hit .304 last season with career-highs of 15 home runs and 106 RBIs.
When he surveyed the scene and figured his best offers would come from either West Coast or East Coast teams, it turned out that third baseman Randa was also citizen Joe.
"That's how I look at it. I know my kids are going to be going through (an exceptional) school system and I'm going to be part of the community as long as I'm alive, and my wife will be part of the community, doing charity and other things," he said.
"In Kansas City, you pull into your driveway and the neighbors are standing around talking. We have a lot of friends here.
"There's a definite feeling of community. When you need a cup of sugar, it's nice to just go next door and borrow some."
Perez not pleased by Dodgers' demotion
Vero Beach, Fla. Carlos Perez, 7-18 with a 6.28 ERA during the last two years, reacted with a profanity-filled tirade when informed he will start the year at Triple-A Las Vegas.
"It's always something new here, and I'm getting tired of it," Perez said Monday. "They better wake up. ... I never get upset about this job. But when I get mad, I get mad."
The 30-year-old left-hander, being paid $7.5 million in 2001, the final season of a $15.6 million, three-year contract, is 2-0 with a 4.76 ERA in 5 2-3 innings this spring.
Huskey, Prieto cut
Winter Haven, Fla. Utility player Butch Huskey was released by the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday after spending last season with Colorado and Minnesota. Ariel Prieto, who spent the past four seasons with Oakland, also was cut because the Indians have an abundance of right-handers.
Yankees' Jeter headed for DL
Tampa, Fla. New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter played in a game for the first time since March 16, but appears headed for the disabled list.
"I'm leaning that way only because it's probably safer to do that for me in my mind," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "I don't want to be sorry."
Jeter, who had been sidelined by a strained right quadriceps, was the designated hitter Tuesday in an exhibition game for the Class-A Tampa Yankees and went 3-for-7 with a solo homer and was hit by a pitch.
Reds' Griffey may miss start of baseball season
Sarasota, Fla. Ken Griffey Jr. won't play for the rest of spring training and his status for opening day is in doubt.
The Cincinnati Reds won't know for a few more days whether Griffey's pulled hamstring amounts to a minor setback or a problem that could linger for a few weeks.
Griffey pulled his left hamstring while rounding third base Mondayt.
Maness sues Cubs, Dodgers for brawl
Chicago A man arrested after Los Angeles players climbed into the Wrigley Field stands and fought with fans last May sued the Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday.
James Maness, 31, accused the Cubs security guards of false arrest, malicious prosecution, creating a nuisance and battery. Maness and Ronald Camacho, 33, both construction workers, were charged with disorderly conduct after a fan grabbed the cap of Dodgers catcher Chad Kreuter and ran off with it.
Garciaparra faces surgery
Fort Myers, Fla. Nomar Garciaparra is likely to miss at least the first 21/2 months of the season and possibly up to four months because of an injured right wrist.
The Boston Red Sox shortstop said Tuesday the probability of surgery is "extremely high." The two-time defending AL batting champion split a tendon in the wrist when he was hit by a pitch.
Garciaparra said he has no regrets about trying to avoid surgery with rehabilitation.
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