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Jeromy Burnitz and Colorado agreed Saturday to a one-year contract that guarantees the outfielder $1.5 million, and the Rockies cut ties with Jay Payton.
Burnitz split time last year between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers, hitting a combined .239 with 31 home runs and 77 RBI. Burnitz was an All-Star in 1999 for Milwaukee and has hit at least 30 homers in five of his last six seasons.
The contract calls
for a $1.25 million salary next season and gives the sides a $3 million mutual
option with a $250,000 buyout. It is contingent on Burnitz passing a physical.
Burnitz likely will replace Payton in Colorado's outfield next season. The Rockies
declined to offer Payton a contract by Saturday's deadline, making him a free
agent.
Payton had a career year in 2003, hitting .302 with 28 home runs and 89 RBIs. But the Rockies did not want to pay Payton what he would have been worth in salary arbitration.
The Rockies also did not offer contracts to right-hander pitcher Scott Elarton and infielder Kit Pellow.
Elarton made 10 starts and one relief appearance for the Rockies last season, going 4-4 with a 6.27 ERA.
The Rockies called up Pellow from Triple-A Colorado Springs in September. He went 8-for-18 with a homer and four RBIs during his short stint with the Rockies.