DENVER, April 10 (UPI) -- The Colorado Rockies signed the veteran slugger Greg Vaughn Thursday to a minor league contract with Triple A Colorado Springs of the Pacific Coast League.
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays waived Vaughn on March 22, but he was not claimed due to a $9.25 million salary in 2003 that Tampa Bay is obligated to pay.
Vaughn, 37, has 352 career homers and 1,067 RBI in 13 full major league seasons. He had 95 homers and 237 RBI in 1998 and 1999 for the San Diego Padres and Cincinnati Reds.
"We're going to break him in slowly, get him some at-bats and see if he can help us at some point in time," said Rockies General Manager Dan O'Dowd.
MLB.com, the official Web site of Majorf League Baseball, said Thursday that Vaughn, through his agent, approached his good friend and Colorado Player Development Director Bill Geivett, and the sides forged a deal quickly. Rockies General Manager Dan O'Dowd said there is no guarantee Vaughn will receive a call to the majors.
O'Dowd said Vaughn, beset by shoulder and leg injuries throughout his time with Tampa Bay, apparently is healthy, but he will undergo a physical.
"We're going to break him in slowly, get him some at-bats and see if he can help us at some point in time," O'Dowd said.
The Rockies already have a productive outfield with starters Larry Walker, Preston Wilson and Jay Payton.
Vaughn was beset by shoulder and leg injuries over the past three seasons in Tampa Bay, totaling 60 homers and 185 RBI. Last year, he played in just 69 games and batted .163 with eight homers and 29 RBI.
A career .242 hitter, Vaughn had three 40-homer seasons and drove in more than 115 runs three times.
Only ten active players have hit more career homers than Vaughn. He hit 50 home runs in 1998 while helping San Diego to the World Series, and knocked 45 in 1999 while helping Cincinnati make a surprising run at a playoff berth.
