Yanks re-enlist Williams; LA adds another Giant

NEW YORK -- Seattle gave Matt Lawton a new chance, Brett Tomko became the latest player to switch from the Giants to the Dodgers and Minnesota landed Rondell White on Thursday as teams rushed to complete deals before the Christmas weekend break.

Johnny Damon passed his physical, got a haircut and prepared for a news conference Friday at Yankee Stadium. New York also finalized its one-year contract to keep his predecessor in center, Bernie Williams.

Kansas City tried to seal a contract with Reggie Sanders, and San Diego agreed to a deal with Mark Bellhorn.

Branded a steroid cheat after testing positive, Lawton agreed to a $400,000, one-year contract with Seattle, a deal that allows him to earn $1.25 million more in performance bonuses.

"When somebody first brings the name up, there are a lot of reservations," Seattle general manager Bill Bavasi said. "As with every player you look into everything very closely, and we're satisfied its a one-time deal."

The commissioner's office announced Nov. 2 that Lawton tested positive for steroids, a substance identified as boldenone, which is used by veterinarians. He is suspended for the first 10 days of next season.

"The only embarrassment for me was having to tell my family how everything went down," Lawton said. "It taught me a lesson, and I'm very fortunate for the opportunity the Mariners have given me."

Lawton said he took the steroids with about eight games left in the season and thought he would not be caught.

"What's the chances?" Lawton said. "Everything happens for a reason."

Tomko, who grew up three miles from Dodger Stadium, agreed to an $8.7 million, two-year deal with Los Angeles.

Tomko was 8-15 with a 4.48 ERA for San Francisco last season. Under new general manager Ned Colletti, the Dodgers also have added former Giants Kenny Lofton and Bill Mueller. Colletti had been San Francisco's assistant general manager.

White becomes the designated hitter for the Twins, who gave him a one-year deal that guarantees him $3.25 million and could be worth up to $8.5 million over two seasons if he plays regularly.

The 33-year-old White hit .313 with 12 homers and 53 RBIs in 97 games for the Tigers last season, but the outfielder missed most of the year with shoulder ailments. White was on the DL eight times from 1996-2001 and didn't play much during the final two months in 2004 because of a hip injury.

As the Yankees got ready to welcome Damon, they announced their $1.5 million, one-year contract with the 37-year-old Williams, who has been in pinstripes since 1991 and compiled statistics that put his name alongside the team's greatest players.

"He ranks right there with the Gehrigs and the Berras and the Ruths and the Mantles," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said.

Sanders, Royals near deal

After finishing a major league worst 56-106, Kansas City is trying to reach an agreement with Sanders on a two-year contract worth about $10 million. The 38-year-old Sanders hit .271 with 21 homers and 54 RBIs in 295 at-bats last season for St. Louis, missing nearly two months after breaking his right leg in an outfield collision with Jim Edmonds. He had 10 RBIs in the Cardinals' first-round sweep of San Diego.

"I think he would be a pretty good addition to our club," Royals general manager Allard Baird said. "But until everything is set, I just don't want to speculate."

Bellhorn, given an $800,000, one-year deal by San Diego, likely will replace Mark Loretta, who was traded to Boston this month for catcher Doug Mirabelli.