Mattingly and Yankees Reach Agreement on a One-Year, $1.375-Million Contract

Don Mattingly, last season’s American League Most Valuable Player, agreed early Tuesday with the New York Yankees on a one-year contract for $1,375,000.

The agreement came shortly after midnight, the club said, avoiding Mattingly’s salary arbitration hearing scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.

Mattingly, who earned $325,000 in base salary and $130,000 in bonuses last season, had asked for $1.5 million in arbitration and the Yankees had offered $1.25 million.

“The Yankees met us halfway; we felt they were making the effort,” said Mattingly, explaining why he decided not to hold out for the hearing when the team’s offer reached the point exactly halfway between Mattingly’s and the club’s figures. The $1,375,000 compromise would “keep the peace,” he said.