Cuba’s Arrojo to Sign With Devil Rays; Belle Not Penalized for Not Signing

Cuban ace pitcher Rolando Arrojo, who defected before last summer’s Olympics, agreed Monday to a contract with the expansion Tampa Bay Devil Rays and will receive a multimillion signing bonus.

Tampa Bay, which starts play next season, won a 15-team bidding war for Arrojo, a 6-foot-4 right-hander. He will sign a minor league contract and get a signing bonus that may exceed the $4.5 million received by Livan Hernandez, the current high for a Cuban defector.

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While the Comiskey Park scoreboard advertised Albert Belle was signing autographs Sunday in a section of seats in the lower level of the ballpark, Belle was in the Chicago White Sox clubhouse reading the newspaper.

General Manager Ron Schueler said the team won’t take action against the outfielder because signing was voluntary.

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The White Sox and Frank Thomas labeled as speculation reports that the first baseman is on the verge of signing a six-year contract extension worth more than $100 million.

“I wish it was true,” Thomas said. “I’m signed until 2000 already. Extension for what? I’m already here the next four years.”