Pro Baseball News

Rays give deals to RHPs Balfour, Cormier (AP) (sports.yahoo.com)

Reliever Grant Balfour agreed to a $1.4 million, one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, avoiding arbitration. The AL champions also agreed to a one-year deal with right-hander Lance Cormier, who became a free agent last month when Baltimore failed to offer a 2009 contract. To make room on the 40-man roster, right-hander Dewon Day was designated for assignment.