In a pair of surprise moves, the Reds signed free agents Deion Sanders and Jose Rijo to minor league contracts late Thursday night.
The signings beat a midnight deadline for signing the two free agents, both of whom had declined arbitration. If they hadn't signed, the Reds couldn't negotiate with either until May 1.
Still, you might not see either player at Cinergy Field next season. Sanders is not expected to play baseball and Rijo, who hasn't pitched in the majors since undergoing elbow surgery in August 1995, is attempting to come back after four operations.
The Associated Press said Sanders, who also plays for the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, agreed to a deal for $5,000 per month. But in November, Sanders rejected a $2.5 million option to return to the Reds, for whom he hit .273 with 56 steals last season.
. ''Although we don't expect Deion Sanders to play baseball this year, we appreciate his continued loyalty to the Cincinnati Reds,'' General Manager Jim Bowden said. ''This signing allows us to keep the door open for him to play in case the situation changes.'' Rijo, the 1990 World Series MVP, underwent ''Tommy John'' surgery in 1995 to repair ligament damage in his pitching elbow. In December he rejected arbitration.
The Associated Press said Rijo is guaranteed $72,000 but could earn up to $3.7 million. He would become a consultant to the Reds at $12,000 a month if he can't pitch. If he makes the team, he would get a $700,000, one-year contract, and the base salary would be $1.1 million if he's on the active roster for the first 90 days of the season.
''If there is a pitcher who can come back from four surgeries on the same elbow, it's Jose Rijo,'' Bowden said.
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