BASEBALL : Sierra Re-Signs With A’s, Getting Five-Year Contract

Ruben Sierra, one of two top free agents remaining, re-signed with the Oakland Athletics Monday, agreeing to a five-year contract.

Sierra’s agent, Bob Wolff, said recently that a deal with Oakland was close to being completed for about $30 million. Sandy Alderson, A’s general manager, said the actual amount was lower than had been reported, but would not disclose the total.

Sierra is a three-time All-Star. The 27-year-old outfielder was acquired by Oakland on Aug. 31 along with pitchers Jeff Russell and Bobby Witt in a trade that sent Jose Canseco to the Texas Rangers.

Last year, Sierra won a record $5 million in salary arbitration.

Alderson said Sierra requested a five-year deal. “That was something that Ruben wanted,” Alderson said. “He had been offered shorter contracts for more money on an annual average basis. But that’s not what he was looking for.”

The signing left first baseman Mark McGwire as the only other premier free agent in the market. McGwire, who has spent his entire career with Oakland, is said to be deciding between the Athletics and the Chicago White Sox.

Alderson said he liked Oakland’s chances to keep McGwire.

“I think they are pretty good,” Alderson said in a conference call. “If it’s going to happen at all, it will happen in the next two or three days.

“We’d like to sign McGwire. Our fans would like him to come back. He certainly would make us more competitive than if we started to play this afternoon,” Alderson said.

Sierra batted .278 with 17 home runs and 87 runs batted in overall last season. He played in 27 games for the Athletics, batting .277 with three homers and 17 RBIs.

Alderson said that the Athletics’ total payroll, depending on what happens with McGwire, will end up close to $33 million.

The A’s lost starting pitchers Dave Stewart and Mike Moore earlier this month.

Free-agent outfielder Daryl Boston signed a one-year contract with the Colorado Rockies for $550,000.

Boston, 29, batted .249 with 11 homers and 35 RBIs in 289 at-bats for the New York Mets last season.