After the Devil Rays decline his 2005 $8 million contract option, Tino Martinez (.262, 23, 76) signs a one-year, $3 million contract to rejoin the Yankees. The popular 37 year-old first baseman, acquired as insurance in the event Jason Giambi’s (the player who replaced him) health continues to fail, played in the Bronx from 1996-2001.

This Day In Baseball

On December 31, 2004 — After the Devil Rays decline his 2005 $8 million contract option, free agent first baseman Tino Martinez the 37 year old, who hit .262 with 23 home runs and 76 RBI for Tampa Bay last season, signs a one-year, $3 million contract to rejoin the New York Yankees. Martinez played in New York from 1996 through 2001 before being replaced by Jason Giambi. This time, he is acquired as insurance in the event Giambi’s fragile health, suspected by some sportswriters to be the result of steroid use, continues to fail.