Raines back from retirement

Tim Raines doesn't think he's finished playing baseball.

After missing the 2000 season, the 41-year-old outfielder agreed Tuesday to a minor league contract with the Montreal Expos.

Raines, who hasn't played in the majors since 1999, made his debut with Montreal in 1979 and was an NL All-Star from 1981-87.

"I've always loved Montreal," Raines said. "It gave me a lot of great years and great times, and I would love to end it there."

Raines retired last March 23 after hitting .293 in 24 at-bats during spring training for the Yankees while trying to return after suffering complications from lupus with Oakland in 1999. He would get a $350,000, one-year contract if he makes the Expos, and has a chance to earn $550,000 more in performance bonuses.

Also Thursday, Baltimore finalized its $28 million, four-year contract with first baseman David Segui.

Among players eligible for salary arbitration, San Francisco shortstop Rich Aurilia agreed to a $14.75 million, three-year contract; Chicago White Sox outfielder Magglio Ordonez agreed to a $3.75 million one-year contract; Philadelphia infielder Kevin Jordan got a $1.4 million, two-year contract; and Giants backup infielder Felipe Crespo got a $975,000, two-year deal.

Also avoiding arbitration were Diamondbacks infielder Craig Counsell ($425,000), White Sox infielder Tony Graffanino ($375,000), White Sox third baseman Herbert Perry and Arizona infielder Hanley Frias ($325,000).

Late Wednesday, St. Louis and pitcher Garrett Stephenson agreed on a deal for $1,025,000.

Twenty-seven players became free agents Thursday when their teams failed to offer 2001 contracts. Along them were Minnesota first baseman Ron Coomer, Montreal outfielder Wilton Guerrero and White Sox infielders Mike Caruso and Greg Norton.

Caruso batted .246 in 88 games with Triple-A Charlotte last year. When he was with the White Sox in 1998-1999, he hit .278 with 90 RBIs and 34 stolen bases.

Caruso was claimed on waivers by the Seattle Mariners last week, but was returned to the White Sox. The commissioner's office voided the deal because Caruso was injured when he was put on waivers.

Norton, a switch-hitter, hit .244 with six home runs and 28 RBIs in 2000 for the White Sox.

Coomer, who turned down $1.7 million, batted .270 with 16 homers and 82 RBIs in 140 games for the Twins last season. He hit .278 with 77 homers and 364 RBIs in five seasons with the Twins and was selected for the 1999 AL All-Star team.

Segui, who played his first game in the majors with Baltimore in 1990, hit .334 in 150 games with Texas and Cleveland this year. The switch-hitter had 192 hits, 42 doubles, 19 homers and 103 RBIs.

Segui, 34, spent nine years in the Orioles' organization before being traded to the New York Mets before the 1994 season. That was the first in a series of trades that would send Segui to seven different teams over seven years.

He also played with Montreal, Seattle and Toronto before sharing time with the Rangers and Indians in 2000. Now, a decade later, he's back where he launched his career.

"It's nice to come back and play with the Orioles again. Of course, I made a few stops along the way," Segui said. "I always enjoyed playing in Baltimore, and I've always expressed a desire to finish my career here. It's kind of like going home."

Aurilia hit .271 with 20 homers and 79 RBIs last season, his second as San Francisco's everyday shortstop. He led NL shortstops in homers for the second straight year, and his offensive numbers were nearly identical to those he posted in 1999.

Though Aurilia could have become a free agent after next season, he didn't want to leave the organization where he has spent the last six years.

"Sometimes the money isn't the difference," Aurilia said. "I'm very comfortable in San Francisco. I like our new park. I'm really happy with what I've got."

Ordonez had a career-best 32 home runs, 126 RBIs and 102 runs scored last season, hitting .315.

"We are continuing to talk with Magglio's representatives about the possibilities of a long-term agreement," White Sox general manager Ken Williams said. "But we all felt the initial step was to take care of next season's contract first."