CHICAGO, Jan. 10 -- The Chicago White Sox completed a busy day Friday by re-signing free agent designated hitter Harold Baines, pitcher Jason Bere and infielder Norberto Martin, and signing free agent reliever Roger McDowell and catcher Tony Pena. Baines, 37, returned to the White Sox in 1996 to hit .311 with 22 homers, 81 runs and 95 RBIs in 143 games.
He had played his first 10 seasons with Chicago before being dealt to Texas in July 1989. The five-time All-Star was again traded to Oakland in August 1990 and played two more seasons with the Athletics before Baltimore acquired him prior to the 1993 season. Bere, 25, was limited to just five starts last season due to elbow problems and posted an 0-1 record with a 10.26 ERA over 16 2/3 innings. He underwent elbow surgery on September 13th. Martin, 30, who has played all four major-league seasons with the White Sox, owns a career .299 batting average with four home runs and 49 RBIs. Last year he batted a career-high .350 with a homer and 14 RBIs over 70 games. McDowell provides a veteran arm for the bullpen. In 41 appearances with Baltimore last season, he went 1-1 with four saves and a 4.25 ERA. McDowell has compiled a 70-70 career mark over 12 years with the New York Mets, Philadelphia Philies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas and Baltimore. Pena, 39, spent the last three years with Cleveland after seven in Pittsburgh, three in St. Louis and four with Boston. The five-time All- Star and four-time Gold Glove winner ranks sixth all-time in games caught (1,912). The White Sox also sold the contract of pitcher Scott Ruffcorn to Philadelphia.
