Mets Bring BackCedeno

Unable to replace the speed they lost when they traded outfielder Roger Cedeno to the Houston Astros two years ago, the Mets brought him back to New York on Thursday.

Cedeno agreed to an $18-million, four-year contract as the Mets made the third significant move in the past week to improve their struggling offense.

“We added another piece that makes us more of a threat offensively than a year ago,” Met General Manager Steve Phillips said. “We definitely missed the speed element the last couple of years. With Roger and Roberto Alomar, we can impact the game in many ways now.”

Cedeno, who played for the Detroit Tigers last season, joins Alomar, who came from the Cleveland Indians in an eight-player deal Monday, and outfielder David Justice, acquired from the New York Yankees last Friday.

The Mets also signed reliever David Weathers to a $9.4-million, three-year contract Thursday.

Cedeno, traded to the Astros after the 1999 season in the Mike Hampton deal, said five other teams, including the Seattle Mariners, were interested in signing him and he took less money to play with the Mets.

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The Tigers signed free-agent utility player Craig Paquette to a two-year contract.

Paquette, who played five positions for the St. Louis Cardinals last season, batted .282 with 15 homers and 64 runs batted in.

To make room for Paquette on the 40-man roster, the Tigers designated infielder Deivi Cruz for assignment.

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The same day they signed Jason Giambi, the Yankees also traded reliever Jay Witasick to the San Francisco Giants for outfielder John Vander Wal. ... The Toronto Blue Jays obtained minor league infielder James Deschaine from the Cubs to complete the deal that sent shortstop Alex Gonzalez to Chicago. The Blue Jays also put catcher Alberto Castillo and infielder Luis Lopez on unconditional release waivers. ... The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired right-handers Kip Wells, Sean Lowe and Josh Fogg from the Chicago White Sox for right-hander Todd Ritchie and minor league catcher Lee Evans.

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Oakland A’s designated hitter Jeremy Giambi was cited at McCarron International Airport in Las Vegas after security officers found about a half-ounce of marijuana in his bag.

“It happened at 9:30 a.m. Monday during a routine security check,” Las Vegas police spokesman Tirso Dominguez said.

“While going through the checkpoints, airport personnel found what appeared to be marijuana.”

Police cited Giambi with a misdemeanor for possession of a controlled substance and released him, Dominguez said.

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Ray Knight, fired as Cincinnati’s manager in July 1997, and Jim Lefebvre were hired as coaches for the Reds.

Lefebvre will be the hitting coach. Knight’s role hasn’t been determined, Manager Bob Boone said.