The Associated Press

NEW YORK - The pitching-rich New York Yankees once again have eight starting pitchers.

Injured right-hander Jon Lieber's $3.5 million, two-year contract was announced Friday by the team, which is counting on him to be part of its rotation for 2004.

Lieber, who turns 33 in April, had a ligament in his right elbow replaced in August, an operation that usually has a recovery time of about one year. The former All-Star has spent his major league career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs.

"He's tremendously excited about the opportunity to pitch in meaningful games every time out, hopefully all year and in the playoffs," said Lieber's agent, Rex Gary. "That was an important factor in the teams we were talking to."

Lieber went 20-6 in 2001 for the Chicago Cubs and was selected for the NL All-Star team. He had a ligament in his right elbow replaced Aug. 7 after going 6-8 with a 3.70 ERA and three complete games in his fourth season with the Cubs.

Lieber could earn up to $16.75 million over three years - if he comes back earlier than expected and is added to the active roster by the start of May. Lieber is throwing balls about 150 feet and could be pitching off a mound by next month.

"He's ahead of what anybody had hoped at this point in time," Gary said. "He's doing great. I'd say there's a good chance that he will be pitching this year."

The deal, agreed to last week, calls for a $500,000 signing bonus, of which half is payable now and the rest in January 2004. He gets the $300,000 minimum this year, and the chance to earn $750,000 in bonuses based on roster time.

Lieber gets a $2.45 million salary in 2004 and the chance to earn $4.75 million in bonuses based on starts and innings. New York has an $8 million option for 2005 with a $250,000 buyout.

"One of the ideas behind this deal was that for John to know where he's going to be for, hopefully, three years," Gary said. "So there's no need to rush back."

New York manager Joe Torre already is wondering how to handle seven starting pitchers: Roger Clemens, Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte, David Wells, Jeff Weaver, Jose Contreras and Sterling Hitchcock. Clemens, Wells, Pettitte and Hitchcock are eligible for free agency after the season, and Clemens and Wells could retire.

With the signing, New York's payroll for 2003 increased to $149.2 million for 23 players likely to be on the opening-day roster or disabled list. In addition, second baseman Alfonso Soriano is likely to get a raise from his $630,000 salary last year.

Lieber's 2003 bonus package includes $250,000 for 30 days on the active roster, $150,000 each for 60 and 90 days, and $100,000 each for 120 and 150 days,

The following year, Lieber would get $250,000 for five starts, $325,000 more for 10, $375,000 for 17, $425,000 for 20, and $500,000 each for 24 and 28. He also would get $250,000 for 100 innings, $325,000 more for 120, $375,000 for 140, $425,000 for 160, and $500,000 each for 180 and 200.

BREWERS: Catcher Eddie Perez took a minor-league deal from Milwaukee and was invited to spring training as a non-roster player.

Perez, 34, spent last season with the Cleveland Indians and hit .214.

DIAMONDBACKS: Right-hander Manny Aybar agreed to a minor-league contract with Arizona and was invited to spring training.

Aybar, 30, was 1-0 with a 2.51 ERA in 15 games for the San Francisco Giants last season.

GIANTS: Former Reds outfielder Ruben Rivera agreed to a minor-league contract with San Francisco, adding to the team's outfield depth.

Rivera hit .209 in 69 games with the Texas Rangers last season.

MARINERS: Jamey Wright and Seattle agreed to a minor-league contract, and the right-hander was invited to spring training.

The 28-year-old Wright began last season with Milwaukee, going 5-13 with a 5.35 ERA, then was traded Aug. 30 to St. Louis, where he was 2-0 and 4.80.

METS: Graeme Lloyd signed a minor-league contract with the New York Mets and was invited to spring training.

Lloyd, a left-hander, was 4-5 with a 5.21 ERA and a career-high five saves last year with the Montreal Expos and the Florida Marlins.

ORIOLES: Baltimore backed out of talks with free agent outfielder Jose Cruz Jr., who rejected the Orioles' final offer of a one-year deal worth nearly $2 million per season.

Cruz, 28, made $3.95 million last season and is open to a one-year deal. He wasn't offered a contract by the Toronto Blue Jays after hitting .245 with 18 homers in 124 games last year.

PADRES: 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.

PIRATES: Pittsburgh signed left-handers Dennys Reyes and Mike Holtz to minor-league deals.

Reyes, 24, was 0-1 with a 4.24 ERA last year with Colorado. He also spent part of the season with Texas, going 4-3 with a 6.38 ERA.

Holtz, 30, split the 2002 season between Oakland and San Diego. In 350 career games, he is 16-20 with a 4.68 ERA.

TIGERS: Detroit re-signed right-hander reliever Julio Santana (3-5, 2.84 ERA) to a one-year contract.

To make space on their 40-man roster, the Tigers sent outfielder Craig Monroe to Triple-A Toledo.