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Free-agent reliever Antonio Alfonseca agreed Friday to a one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves.
Alfonseca, a 31-year-old right-hander, was 3-1 with a 5.83 ERA in 60 games with the Chicago Cubs last season. In 2000, he led the NL with 45 saves in 49 chances.
In parts of seven seasons, Alfonseca has a 23-30 record, 4.11 ERA and 121 saves. He signed with the Montreal Expos in 1989 and was selected by the Florida Marlins in the 1993 winter meeting draft.
The Marlins traded him and Matt Clement to the Cubs on March 27, 2002, in for pitchers Julian Tavarez, Jose Cueto, Dontrelle Willis and catcher Ryan Jorgensen.
The New York Mets on Friday signed utilityman Joe McEwing to a two-year contract and outfielder Timo Perez to a one-year pact.
McEwing, who was eligible for salary arbitration, will make $1 million over the next two seasons. He played seven different positions for the Mets in 2003, batting .241 with 31 runs, 11 doubles, one home run, 16 RBI and three stolen bases in 119 games.
"Joe can help you in so many different ways," Mets general manager Jim Duquette said. "His versatility allows (manager Art Howe) to have many different options throughout a game."
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The Mets also announced that they have signed outfielder Timo Perez to a contract
valued at $850,000 plus incentives based upon at-bats. Perez batted .269 with
four homers and 42 RBI in 127 games last season.
The 31-year-old McEwing showed his versatility in playing five games at first base, 55 at second base - including 42 starts - two games at third base, 42 contests at shortstop, 16 in left field, one game in center field and two in right field.
"I'm excited about staying in New York and continuing to be a part of the Mets organization," said McEwing, who has batted .242 in four seasons with the Mets. "I am looking forward to being able to help the team be successful in anyway I possibly can."