The Associated Press

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Don Zimmer was hired as an adviser by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Friday in another step in a baseball career that has lasted more than a half century.

Zimmer, who turns 73 on Jan. 17, will be in uniform as a coach during spring training and for pregame practices at all regular-season home games.

Zimmer has been in baseball 55 years - 33 as a major-league coach or manager. He spent the last eight seasons as bench coach for New York Yankees manager Joe Torre.

Zimmer will hold the title of senior baseball adviser. He said he had taken some ribbing from friends about his title.

"I've never been nothing but a broken-down coach," Zimmer joked.

He will assist the Devil Rays in community affairs. Zimmer is a longtime resident of Treasure Island.

"Don brings a tremendous amount of experience to our organization," said Chuck LaMar, the team's senior vice president.

CARDINALS: Second baseman Marlon Anderson, who hit .270 with six homers runs and 67 RBI for Tampa Bay last season, agreed to a $600,000, one-year contract.

St. Louis also finalized a $4.2 million, two-year deal with right-hander Julian Tavarez and agreed to a minor-league contract with former Cardinal Ray Lankford, who did not play last season.

METS: Operating with a payroll set at $80 million, the Mets said Friday they have made an offer to free agent outfielder Vladimir Guerrero.

Guerrero is looking for a long-term deal, and Baltimore is thought to have offered $65 million over five years.