Tigers sign free-agent infielders Fielder, Romero BY GENE GUIDI Free Press Sports Writer The Tigers made another move to add much-needed power Monday when they signed free agent first baseman Cecil Fielder to a two year contract. The Tigers also signed free-agent utility infielder Ed Romero to a one-year contract. Romero replaces Mike Brumley, traded to the Baltimore Orioles last week for Larry Sheets. The New York Times reported that Fielder, 26 who made $125,000 when he last played in the major leagues with Toronto in 1988 - agreed to a two-year contract worth $3 million. The Times said he will receive a $1.5 million signing bonus, paid in three installments, and salaries of $500,000 this year and $1 million next year. Fielder made $1,050,000 last year with Japan's Hanshin Tigers, hitting 38 home runs in 106 games and averaging roughly one homer for each 10 at-bats. Tigers general manager Bill Lajoie said Sheets and Fielder could give a big boost to the Tigers, last in the American League in batting (.242) and next-to-last in runs (617) last season. "There's no question that we had to have more punch this year," Lajoie said. Fielder, a right-handed hitter, led the Central League with a .628 slugging perthe He previously played parts of 1985-1988 seasons with the Blue Jays. said In 506 major league at-bats, Fielder has to 31 homers with 84 RBIs. His best season in was 1987, when he hit .269 with 14 homers (617) and 32 RBIs in 175 at-bats. Fielder, stuck first behind Willie Upshaw have and then Fred McGriff on the Blue Jays' first-base depth chart, agreed after the 1988 the season to play in Japan. The Blue Jays perthe See TIGERS, Page 5D