1 Year Contract

BASEBALL American League * Orioles -- Agreed to terms with Dwight Evans (outfielder) on a 1-year contract. Named Manny Estrada international scouting supervisor and Harry Shelton scout for Northern Florida.* Chicago White Sox -- Agreed to terms with Carlton Fisk (catcher) on a 1-year contract.* Detroit Tigers -- Agreed to terms with Dave Bergman (first baseman) on a 1-year contract.* Minnesota Twins -- Named Phil Roof manager of Orlando of the Southern League.* Texas Rangers -- Agreed to terms with Brian Downing (designated hitter)

Companies offering to beat Baltimore Gas and Electric's standard price for dirty electricity are few or none. But several sell more expensive "green" energy. And if you're afraid BGE's price will rise substantially, you can lock in with competitors for up to three years. The rates are higher than BGE's present price, but at least you'll know they won't go any higher during the contract period. Prices don't include delivery charges. Check for cancellation fees. Every 1-cent difference in the kilowatt-hour price means roughly a $10 difference in the monthly bill.

Companies offering to beat Baltimore Gas and Electric's standard price for dirty electricity are few or none. But several sell more expensive "green" energy. And if you're afraid BGE's price will rise substantially, you can lock in with competitors for up to three years. The rates are higher than BGE's present price, but at least you'll know they won't go any higher during the contract period. Prices don't include delivery charges. Check for cancellation fees. Every 1-cent difference in the kilowatt-hour price means roughly a $10 difference in the monthly bill.

While continuing to discuss a long-term contract extension with Brian Roberts, the Orioles are closing in on a one-year deal with the second baseman that, in the short term, will help the two sides avoid salary arbitration. The one-year deal, which could be finalized and announced as early as today, according to a source close to the negotiations, likely will be for about $4.2 million, the midpoint of the arbitration figures filed by both parties in mid-January. Roberts asked for $4.6 million, and the Orioles offered $3.8 million.

BaseballBoston Red Sox -- Agreed to terms with P John Dopson on a year contract.California Angels -- Agreed to a minor-league contract with P Willie Fraser, who spent 4 seasons with the Angels before being traded to Toronto in 1990.Milwaukee Brewers -- Agreed to terms with P Bruce Ruffin on a 1-year contract.Minnesota Twins -- Agreed to terms with P David West (4-4, 4.54 ERA in 15 games last season) on a 1-year contract.Oakland Athletics -- Agreed to terms with IF Randy Ready on a 1-year contract.

Baseball Atlanta Braves -- Called up SS Rico Rossy (former Baltimore Orioles farmhand) from Class AAA Richmond to replace Jeff Blauser, who has a broken big toe on his left foot.Cincinnati Reds -- Called up P Jack Armstrong, P Steve Foster and IF Freddie Benavides from Class AAA Nashville.Detroit Tigers -- Called up P David Haas, C Rich Rowland, 2B Johnny Paredes and OF Shawn Hare from Class AAA Toledo.Los Angeles Dodgers -- Purchased the contract of P Mike Christopher from Class AAA Albuquerque.

Baseball Chicago Cubs -- Placed P Dave Smith (0-5, 5.04 ERA) on the day DL, retroactive to July 23. Sent P Laddie Renfroe (0-1, 13.50 ERA) outright to Class AAA Iowa. Recalled P Dave Pavlas from Iowa.Cincinnati Reds -- Activated P Jose Rijo from the 15-day DL. Optioned OF Freddie Benavides (.316, 0 homers, 3 RBI) to Class AAA Nashville.San Francisco Giants -- Recalled P Bryan Hickerson from Class AAA Phoenix. Optioned IF Greg Litton (.171, 1, 14) to Phoenix. Moved P Scott Garrelts from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL to clear a spot for Hickerson on the 40-man roster.

BaseballAtlanta Braves -- Signed C Damon Berryhill (.188, 5 HRs, 14 RBI) to a 1-year contract for $325,000.Chicago Cubs -- Signed P Les Lancaster (9-7, 3.52 ERA) to a 1-year contract for $1.1 million. Announced that SS Shawon Dunston had been admitted to Northwestern (Ill.) Memorial Hospital for evaluation of a back injury.San Francisco Giants -- Signed free-agent OF Chris James (.238, 5, 41) to a 1-year contract. Designated P Paul McClellan for assignment.Toronto Blue Jays -- Signed P Al Leiter (3 games)

Baseball Atlanta Braves -- Agreed to 1-year contract with P Pete Smith 4.79 ERA) for $365,000, plus $45,000 in bonuses, a raise of $175,000. He had sought $450,000 in arbitration, and Braves had offered him $290,000. Agreed to 1-year contracts with minor-leaguers P Matt Turner, P Turk Wendell and OF Andy Tomberlin.Boston Red Sox -- Agreed to 4-year contract with OF Mike Greenwell (.297, 14 HRs, 73 RBI) for $12 million. He earned $1.225 million on second year of 2-year contract in 1990. He had filed for $2.8 million in arbitration, and Red Sox had countered with $2 million.

The city Police Department is offering to rehire some of the disabled officers it is forcing to retire, but union officials say they aren't satisfied with the proposed employment terms. "I think they're just throwing us some crumbs to keep up us quiet," said Lt. Frederick V. Roussey, the president of the local Fraternal Order of Police. Under a plan announced this week, 72 officers would be rehired on one-year contracts and would be paid about $27,500 a year - $13.22 per hour - with no medical benefits and two weeks of unpaid leave.

NEW YORK - Roger Clemens decided against retirement - again - and the Houston Astros certainly made it worth his while to stick around for one more season. Clemens and the Astros avoided an arbitration hearing yesterday by agreeing to a one-year, $18 million contract, a record salary for a pitcher. The seven-time Cy Young Award winner eclipsed the mark held by the New York Mets' Pedro Martinez, who earned $17.5 million last year in his final season with the Boston Red Sox. "I'm ready for the challenge," Clemens said at a news conference in Houston.

The Orioles signed left-handed reliever B.J. Ryan to a one-year, $1,275,000 contract yesterday, leaving right fielder Jay Gibbons as their only remaining potential arbitration case. Ryan, 28, went 4-1 with a 3.40 ERA in 76 appearances last season and was second among American League relievers with an average of 11.26 strikeouts for every nine innings pitched. Last year, former Orioles manager Mike Hargrove used Ryan primarily against left-handed batters, but Ryan's role could increase this season under new manager Lee Mazzilli.

Howard County police narrowly agreed to a one-year county proposal that will give them an immediate 2 percent raise and an identical raise later in the fiscal year. Of the nearly 180 officers who voted late Monday, 53 percent approved the contract while 47 percent voted against it. "People aren't happy about it. The mood is dismal," said James Fitzgerald, president of the police union, which represents nearly 270 officers. Police had asked for an immediate 5 percent raise, and a mediator had recommended that officers receive a 4 percent raise.

Baltimore County firefighters overwhelmingly ratified a one-year labor agreement last night that will improve pension benefits and some working conditions, according to union officials. The contract will not increase wages of the county's 1,000 firefighters and paramedics or cost-of-living adjustments, although base salaries will rise in a trade-off that eliminates other payments they receive. County Executive James T. Smith Jr. had said in his budget address last month that the county couldn't afford pay raises for any employees this year.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - After exploring at least two potential trade avenues, the Orioles addressed their shortstop need last night when they signed free agent Deivi Cruz to a one-year, $1.2 million contract with an option for 2004. By going the discount route at shortstop, the Orioles also remained in position to sign free-agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez and perhaps one more impact player. The competition for Rodriguez appeared to dwindle yesterday when Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said the 10-time All-Star catcher was probably not feasible for his club.