Fernandez Goes to Yankees; Morris Remains With Reds

Baseball owners delayed implementing a salary cap Thursday but continued to sign players, even though a strike could halt the 1995 season.

The New York Yankees signed former Cincinnati Red shortstop Tony Fernandez, and the Reds reached agreement with first baseman Hal Morris.

Fernandez, a free agent who was unhappy at third base last season with the Reds, signed a two-year contract for $3 million with the Yankees. He can earn $300,000 more each season in incentives. Fernandez, 32, apparently will take over as the Yankees’ shortstop.

Morris, 29, signed a $3.3-million contract, meaning that Kevin Mitchell is probably through with the Reds. Morris led the Reds in batting (.335) and five other categories last season. He has batted .300 or better in four of his five seasons with Cincinnati.

The Reds will not try to re-sign free agent Mitchell because the team cannot afford both salaries, General Manager Jim Bowden said.

Also Thursday, Pittsburgh third baseman Jeff King agreed to an 11% pay cut by signing a one-year contract worth $2.15 million with the Pirates. And the Cleveland Indians signed left-hander Dennis Cook to a one-year contract, bringing him back to the team he played for in the 1992 and 1993 seasons.

Former Angel reliever Joe Grahe signed a triple-A contract with the Colorado Rockies with an option for the 1996 season.