Sports : Gooden Signs $6.7-Million Deal

Dwight Gooden became the highest-paid player in baseball this year and the highest-paid player in the history of the New York Mets when he agreed today to a three-year contract worth $6.7 million.

Gooden, who made $1.4 million in 1988 after losing in arbitration, will get a $500,000 signing bonus, $2.25 million this year, $1.7 million in 1990 and $2.25 million in 1991, a source familiar with the negotiations said.

Including a prorated share of the signing bonus, Gooden will receive $2,416,667 this season, topping the salary of Minnesota Twins third baseman Gary Gaetti, who will get $2.4 million.