ST PETERSBURG, Florida (Reuters) - The Tampa Bay Rays welcomed free agent outfielders Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon to the fold on Tuesday after signing the former World Series-winning Boston Red Sox team mates to their young squad.
The veterans, who helped the Red Sox break their long Fall Classic drought in 2004, both agreed to one-year deals, with Damon to be paid $5.25 million and Ramirez getting $2 million, Major League Baseball's website (www.mlb.com) reported.
Damon, 37, played left field and designated hitter for the Tigers in 2010, hitting .271 with eight home runs, 51 RBIs and 81 runs scored in 145 games. The left-handed hitter was also a member of the 2009 World Series champion New York Yankees.
Ramirez, 38, hit .311 with eight home runs and 40 RBIs in 66 games for the Dodgers in 2010 before finishing the season with the White Sox, with whom he hit .261 with one home run and two RBIs in 24 games.
The slugger, who also won a World Series ring with the 2007 Red Sox, has 555 career home runs to stand 14th on the all-time list and will likely be used as the team's designated hitter.
(Writing by Larry Fine, Editing by Steve Ginsburg)
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