Seattle — The Seattle Mariners traded third baseman David Bell to San Francisco on Friday for infielder Desi Relaford and cash. The Mariners didn't have a place for Bell after acquiring third baseman Jeff Cirillo from Colorado in a trade last month.
Bell, 29, became a free agent, then accepted a salary arbitration offer from the Mariners last month. He told the team he wanted to play every day, and Seattle said it would try to swap him to a club where he would have that opportunity.
Bell hit .260 last year with 122 hits, 15 home runs and 64 RBIs.
High court sets deadline
St. Paul, Minn. The Minnesota Supreme Court gave the operator of the Metrodome until Thursday to respond to the request by the Twins and baseball to have the high court review the injunction that forces the team to play this season.
Stairs, Brewers agree
Milwaukee Free agent outfielder Matt Stairs and the Milwaukee Brewers agreed Friday to a $500,000, one-year contract. Stairs, 33, played last season with the Chicago Cubs, hitting .250 with 17 homers and 61 RBIs.
Williams in serious condition
Gainesville, Fla. Ted Williams was in serious condition Friday after being hospitalized with a high temperature and low blood pressure. The 83-year-old Hall of Famer was taken from his home by ambulance Thursday to Shands Hospital at the University of Florida, about 50 miles away.
Red Sox invite Baerga
Boston Three-time All-Star infielder Carlos Baerga was among 18 players invited to spring training with the Boston Red Sox on Friday as non-roster invitees.
Gonzalez passes physical
Arlington, Texas Juan Gonzalez passed his physical without any problems, but his two-year, $24 million contract with the Texas Rangers still hasn't been finalized.
"There were no problems with the physical whatsoever," Rangers spokesman John Blake said Friday.
Yankees add Coomer
New York The New York Yankees signed infielder Ron Coomer to a minor league contract Friday. The 35-year-old Coomer batted .261 with eight home runs and 53 RBIs in 111 games with the Chicago Cubs last season.
Pirates sign Rios
Pittsburgh Outfielder Armando Rios, who played only two games with Pittsburgh last season before badly injuring his left knee, agreed Friday to a $925,000, one-year contract.
Rangers ink Thompson
Arlington, Texas Free agent pitcher Justin Thompson agreed Friday to a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers and was invited to spring training as a non-roster player.
Tigers sign Halter
Detroit Utilityman Shane Halter, one of only four men in major league history to play all nine positions in one game, signed a two-year contract Friday with the Detroit Tigers.
Rays' Johnson signs
St. Petersburg, Fla. Infielder Russ Johnson avoided arbitration Friday, signing two-year, $1.35 million contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Johnson, who hit .294 with four homers and 33 RBIs in 85 games last season, will earn $575,000 in 2002 and $775,000 in 2003.
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