The Associated Press

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Tampa native Tino Martinez was traded from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Devil Rays on Friday for a minor-league pitching prospect.

St. Louis gets pitcher Evan Rust and a player to be named.

Martinez is owed $7.5 million next season under the $21 million, three-year deal he agreed to with the Cardinals in December 2001, and his contract contains an $8 million option for 2005 with a $1 million buyout.

St. Louis will pay $7 million of the remaining $8.5 million Martinez is guaranteed, a baseball official said on the condition of anonymity.

The 36-year-old Martinez, a former University of Tampa star and a 14-year major-league veteran, has slumped badly in recent years. In 138 games last season, the first baseman hit .273 with 15 homers and 69 RBI. He had 71 strikeouts and 53 walks.

"I did not come here to retire and play out the rest of my career," Martinez said at Tropicana Field. "I came here to be a productive player for these guys, and I look forward to having a big year and making an impact on the young players on the team and also try to help this team get to the next level."

Martinez, a career .273 hitter, played six seasons with the Seattle Mariners and six seasons with the Yankees, winning four World Series titles in New York.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said the trade could lead to a position shift.

"Does this deal mean that Albert Pujols will be moved to first base? That's a possibility," La Russa said.

Rust, 25, was 1-3 with a 2.65 ERA with 11 saves in 30 relief appearances at Double-A Orlando and 2-2 with a 3.25 ERA and one save in 26 relief outings for Triple-A Durham.

YANKEES: Derek Jeter's injured left thumb will not need an operation.

The shortstop was examined Friday by team physician Dr. Stuart Hershon and hand specialist Dr. Mel Rosenwasser.

The doctors determined the ligament Jeter sprained against Boston in the opener of the AL Championship Series Oct. 8 had healed, Yankees spokesman Jason Zillo said.

BREWERS: Milwaukee president Ulice Payne Jr. is leaving his job following a dispute with the team's board of directors over proposed cuts in the team's payroll.

Payne had taken over as team president in September 2002 from Wendy Selig-Prieb, the daughter of baseball commissioner Bud Selig.

Selig's family controls the team, which has not finished with a winning record since 1992. Payne had a five-year contract, and the Brewers announced Friday that they had reached an agreement that calls for his departure.

ROYALS: Kevin Appier is staying with Kansas City.

The 35-year-old right-hander agreed Friday to a one-year contract for the $300,000 minimum.

Anaheim, which released Appier in July, is responsible for the remainder of his $12 million salary in 2004, the final season of a $42 million, four-year contract he agreed to with the New York Mets.