Roundup

PETA opposes name of new Padres stadium

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- An animal rights group has asked the San Diego Padres to back out of a deal giving the Petco retail firm naming rights to the team's new downtown ballpark.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is leading a boycott against the San Diego-based pet-supply chain, alleging animal cruelty at some of its stores. The group contends a high number of animals have died from disease and crowding at Petco stores.

A letter sent this week to Padres officials asks the team to cancel a 22-year contract to name the new field Petco Park. The team announced the deal, worth $60 million, on Wednesday. The ballpark is scheduled to open in April 2004.

Padres president Dick Freeman said the team had investigated PETA's claim and was comfortable that Petco was "handling the situation well."

James Myers, Petco's chief financial officer, said the company's highest priority is concern and care for animals. PETA's underlying motivation in attacking Petco, Myers said, is that it "doesn't believe people should have pets."

PETA spokeswoman Colleen O'Brien said the group is asking its members and supporters to write the Padres to voice their disapproval.

Mets sign veteran reliever Lloyd

NEW YORK (AP) -- Graeme Lloyd agreed to a minor league contract Friday with the New York Mets and was invited to spring training.

The left-hander was 4-5 with a 5.21 ERA and a career-high five saves last year in 66 games with Montreal and Florida.

The 6-foot-7 pitcher, who was born in Australia, also has pitched for Milwaukee, the New York Yankees and Toronto during 10 major league seasons, going 29-32 with 17 saves and a 3.91 ERA.

If Lloyd is added to the Mets' major league roster, he would get a $650,000, one-year contract and the chance to earn an additional $250,000 in performance bonuses.

Mike Stanton, signed as free agent last month, figures to be the top left-hander in the Mets' bullpen. John Franco, recovering from elbow surgery, isn't sure when he'll be ready to pitch.

D'backs sign righty Aybar

PHOENIX (AP) -- Right-hander Manny Aybar agreed Friday to a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks and was invited to spring training.

Aybar, 30, was 1-4 with 24 saves and a 3.75 ERA last season from San Francisco's Class AAA team at Fresno of the Pacific Coast League, then was 1-0 with a 2.51 ERA in 15 games for the Giants.

He signed with St. Louis in 1991 and made his debut for the Cardinals in 1997, and has spent six seasons in the major leagues, also playing for St. Louis, Colorado, Cincinnati, Florida, the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco. Aybar has a 17-18 record with three saves and a 5.04 ERA in 28 starts and 155 relief appearances.

Brewers sign Perez, Smith to minor league deals

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- The Milwaukee Brewers on Friday signed catcher Eddie Perez and outfielder Mark Smith to minor league contracts and invited them to spring training.

Perez, 34, spent the 2002 season with the Cleveland Indians and hit .214 with a .988 fielding percentage in 42 games. In 367 major league games with the Atlanta Braves and Indians, he has batted .252 with 24 home runs and 108 RBI.

Perez, who was Greg Maddux's personal catcher in Atlanta and the MVP of the 1999 National League Championship Series with the Braves, will compete with Raul Casanova and Javier Valentin for playing time.

"Eddie will add another veteran leader to our catching corps," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said. "He brings a strong defensive presence and great knowledge of the game to assist our young pitching staff."

Smith, 32, hit .290 with 12 homers and 55 RBI for Class AAA Calgary of the Pacific Coast League last season. In 381 major league games over seven seasons, he has hit .243.

Tigers re-sign Santana

DETROIT (Ticker) -- Righthanded reliever Julio Santana, whose 2002 season was cut short by an elbow injury, re-signed with the Detroit Tigers on Friday.

Financial terms of the one-year deal were not disclosed.

Santana was 3-5 with a 2.84 ERA in 38 games for the Tigers in 2002. His season ended after he was placed on the disabled list on August 11 with a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

Santana appeared in 10 games with Escodigo of the Dominican Winter League, striking out 14 batters with a 2.63 ERA in 13 2/3 innings.

To make space on the 40-man roster, the contract of outfielder Craig Monroe was sent to Toledo of the Class AAA International League.

 

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