Vaughn Still a Padre; Davis Goes to Orioles

Greg Vaughn accepted San Diego’s offer of salary arbitration Thursday night, assuring the Padres they’ll have a slugger in the lineup during Ken Caminiti’s expected early-season absence.

Fernando Valenzuela declined arbitration but may be nearing a deal with the NL West champions.

“We’re excited,� General Manager Kevin Towers said after Vaughn accepted arbitration just before the midnight EST deadline. “All along, when we made this deal, we wanted Greg Vaughn to be a Padre for more than just two months. It’s very important to the chemistry of the club. He’s very well thought of by his teammates. We know Ken Caminiti will be very happy.�

Vaughn hit 10 of his 41 homers after being acquired in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers on July 31.

Caminiti, the National League’s most valuable player, underwent major rotator cuff surgery on Oct. 9 and might not be ready to play until May.

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Outfielder Eric Davis agreed to a $2.2-million, one-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles, who hope he can replace Bobby Bonilla. Davis, 34, hit 26 home runs and stole 23 bases for Cincinnati last season. . . . Third baseman Charlie Hayes agreed to a new two-year contract with the New York Yankees that guarantees him $3.275 million. . . . Luis Gonzalez, traded from Houston to the Chicago Cubs in the middle of the 1995 season, returned to the Astros after reaching an agreement on a $1-million, one-year contract. . . . Left-hander Rheal Cormier and the Montreal Expos agreed to a $1.05-million, one-year contract. . . . Atlanta Brave reliever Mike Bielecki accepted the team’s arbitration offer. . . . Catcher Tom Lampkin was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals by the San Francisco Giants for a player to be named or cash.

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Former Boston Red Sox Manager Butch Hobson has agreed to enter a Rhode Island state program for first-time criminal offenders. Hobson acknowledged using cocaine in the past, but did not admit any guilt.