Mets Sign McReynolds to Contract Extension

With a year remaining on his contract, outfielder Kevin McReynolds received free-agent treatment from the New York Mets Thursday: a three-year, $10-million contract extension.

The deal mirrors the ones recently signed by free-agent outfielders Brett Butler with the Dodgers, Willie McGee with the San Francisco Giants and George Bell with the Chicago Cubs. After watching Darryl Strawberry leave to join the Dodgers, the Mets were not about to let that happen next year with McReynolds.

“We did it a year in advance,” Vice President Al Harazin said. “The reason is consistency. If you look at Kevin’s career, the hallmark is consistency. For the last five years, he’s averaged 150 games, 26 home runs and 92 RBIs.” Still, the extension was made after a troubling season for McReynolds. He batted .269, .232 against left-handers.

The deal includes a $1.25-million signing bonus, salaries of $3 million for 1992, $3.25 million for 1993 and $2.5 million for 1994. The Mets have an option for 1995 at $3.6 million. McReynolds will make $2.1 million in 1991, the final year of his current contract.