Reed to Stay With Twins

Given the chance to become a free agent, Rick Reed backed down Friday and decided to stay with the Minnesota Twins.

Reed, scheduled to be the fourth starter in a rotation that’s already one of the strongest in the American League, withdrew the trade demand he filed following the World Series.

The pitcher has guaranteed salaries of $7 million in 2002 and $8 million in 2003, the final seasons of a three-year, $21.75 million contract that also contains an $8-million club option for 2004.

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The city’s board of aldermen approved a deal to finance a new ballpark for the St. Louis Cardinals. The St. Louis County Council and the Missouri legislature also must approve the deal. The ballpark in downtown St. Louis would seat 49,000, and the Cardinals hope to move there from Busch Stadium in 2005.

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New York Yankee pitcher Andy Pettitte threw two perfect innings in a minor league intrasquad game. Pettitte was scratched from his start on March 8 after straining a left elbow muscle. The Yankees also released pitcher Allen Watson, who was attempting a comeback after two shoulder surgeries.... Cleveland backup catcher Eddie Taubensee will miss at least the first two months of the season due to pain in his lower back.