Belle Will Test Free-Agent Market

Cleveland Indian outfielder Albert Belle filed for free agency, joining a growing list of players testing their value on the open market.

Belle turned down a five-year, $37-million offer before last season.

Indian General Manager John Hart said he wasn’t surprised by Belle’s decision.

“All along Albert Belle and the Cleveland Indians organization had the understanding that he would test the waters and file for free agency,” Hart said in a statement. “We are looking forward to negotiating with Albert and his representatives in the very near future in hopes of keeping him a member of the Indians.”

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Kevin Seitzer and the Cleveland Indians have agreed to exercise his 1997 option for $1.22 million.

Cleveland acquired Seitzer in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers for outfielder Jeromy Burnitz on Aug 31. In a move made at the time but not announced until Monday, the Indians and Seitzer agreed that the player’s 1997 option for a nonguaranteed contract would become a guaranteed deal.

Playing first base and designated hitter, Seitzer batted .386 with one home run and 16 RBIs in 22 games for the Indians.

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The Boston Red Sox signed Japanese left-hander Takayasu Kato.

Kato pitched for the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Pacific League. He was sidelined because of a knee injury in 1995.

The Red Sox also announced that contracts of pitcher Mike Campbell and infielder Bill Selby were sold to the Yokohama Baystars of the Japanese Central League.