ST. PAUL, MN -- He's a familiar face who may return in an unfamiliar role this summer. The St. Paul Saints announced today Tim Christman, who pitched in 37 games for the team the past two seasons, has signed a 2005 contract.

 

In addition, the defending Northern League champs announced today they have also re-signed 1B-DH Billy Munoz, who played briefly here in 2004. "Tim is a hard thrower who can be an excellent closer and Billy swings a mighty bat," said St. Paul manager George Tsamis.

 

The southpaw, who turns 30 March 31, worked mainly as a setup man to Chris Chavez in 2003, winning five games and posting a solid 2.70 ERA. Last year, he was 1-0 with a save in four appearances, two of them as a starter. That was good enough to attract Seattle's interest. The Mariners bought his contract and assigned him to AAA Tacoma, where he went 2-0 with a pair of saves. Always a good strikeout pitcher, he fanned 45 batters in 39 innings for the Rainiers.

 

Originally taken as a 11th round pick by Colorado in 1996, Christman worked his way through the team's system to appear in one major league game for the Rockies in 2001. He was hampered by shoulder problems the next year and appeared in just 22 games for AAA Calgary and AA Portland.

 

He joined the Saints in June, 2003 and has averaged over a strikeout an inning, posting a 6-2 won-loss mark with two saves. For his eight-year pro career, Christman has a 22-16 won-loss mark with 15 saves in 223 games with 399 strikeouts in 338 innings of work.

 

"We're not sure what his role is going to be. He wants to start but he also could be a dominant closer," Tsamis said. "He throws hard and he throws strikes. That's a nice combination."

 

Munoz, 29, is an ex-Minnesota Twins farmhand who played just five games for St. Paul in August before suffering a wrist injury that ended his season. "We expect Billy to be a dangerous bat for us," Tsamis said. "He has a lot of power."

 

A lefthanded batter, Munoz hit .246 with eight home runs and 27 RBIs in 36 games at New Britain in the AA Eastern League prior to joining the Saints. Originally signed as a free agent by Cleveland in 1998, he is an seven-year veteran of all levels of minor league ball who has a career batting average of .264 with 135 doubles, 87 home runs and 384 RBIs in 683 games. He also has a career slugging average of .440.

 

Christman and Munoz will be on hand when the Saints open their 2005 training camp May 3 at Midway Stadium. An eight-game pre-season schedule starts May 7 against Sioux Falls at Midway (4: 05 p.m.) with the regular season set for May 20 against Schaumburg, also at Midway (7:05 p.m.).

 

The Saints now have six players officially under contract for 2005. Tsamis said he expects to sign more players within the next week.