|
|
The Seattle Mariners avoided arbitration with Freddy Garcia on Saturday, agreeing to terms with the righthander on a one-year contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
A two-time All-Star,
the 27-year-old Garcia battled through the first losing season of his five-year
career, going 12-14 with a 4.51 ERA. After going 2-3 in both April and May,
he posted a 5-0 mark in June, earning pitcher of the month honors.
But Garcia followed up the perfect month with six straight losses, four in July.
In 155 career games, just one relief appearance, Garcia is 72-43 with eight complete games, four shutouts and a 3.97 ERA.
"We are pleased that we were able to reach an equitable agreement with Freddy," Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi said. "He has been a key part of the Mariners' success in the past and we're looking forward to 2004."
Gary Matthews agreed Saturday to an $800,000, one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves, who also offered 2004 contracts to shortstop Rafael Furcal, infielder Mark DeRosa and reliever Will Cunnane.
Matthews, claimed off waivers from San Diego on Nov. 24, can earn an additional $125,000 in performance bonuses.
Furcal, Derosa and Cunnane all are eligible for salary arbitration because they have more than three years of major league service. Players who don't agree to deals would have hearings in February before three-person arbitration panels.
Matthews, whose father played with the Braves from 1977-80, hit .271 with four homers, 22 RBIs and 12 steals in 103 games for San Diego. The Padres claimed him off waivers on May 23 from Baltimore, where he hit .204 with two homers and 20 RBIs in 41 games.
The 29-year-old Matthews was a 13th-round selection of the Padres in 1993. He also has played for the Cubs, Pirates and Mets. Over five major league seasons, Matthews has a .241 average, 31 homers and 145 RBIs in 510 games.