Major League Baseball

Tampa Bay Rays give 4-year deal to Cuban prospect

Published Apr. 13, 2010 10:03 p.m. ET

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Cuban outfielder-first baseman Leslie Anderson and the Tampa Bay Rays reached agreement Tuesday on a four-year contract worth a minimum of $1,725,000.

The 28-year-old Anderson hit .381 with 13 homers and 61 RBIs for Cuba's Camaguey during the 2008-09 season, his ninth with the team. He played for Cuba in the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Anderson was assigned to extended spring training at the team's facility in Port Charlotte.

``Anderson is the consummate professional hitter,'' Rays director of international operations Carlos Alfonso said. ``We were also attracted to him because of his athleticism.''

The left-handed hitter gets a $500,000 signing bonus and either $125,000 in the minor leagues this year or the minimum $400,000 in the majors. He receives $200,000 in the minors or $450,000 in the majors in 2011, $400,000 in the minors or $500,000 in the majors in 2012, and $500,000 in 2013.

He could earn an additional $350,000 annually in the majors based on plate appearances: $50,000 for 400, $75,000 for 450, $100,000 for 500 and $125,000 for 550.

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