ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Nov. 21 (UPI) -- The St. Louis Cardinals have traded veteran first baseman Tino Martinez for Tampa Bay.
In return, the Devil Rays also got cash and the rebuilding Cardinals received minor league pitcher Evan Rust and a player to be named.
Martinez, the key player in the deal, is a native of Tampa and will be reunited with Manager Lou Piniella, for whom he played with Seattle from 1993-95.
On its Web site, the Devil Rays said the Cardinals are expected to pay $6 million of Martinez's $7.5 million salary for 2004. His contract also calls for an $8 million option for the 2005 season or a $1 million buyout.
Martinez, 35, was traded to the New York Yankees before the 1996 season and earned four World Series rings in six years with them.
Last season, he hit .273 with 15 home runs and 69 RBI in 476 at-bats in 138 games. For his career, he is a .273 hitter with 299 home runs and 1,146 RBI.
