Olerud Leaves Mets for Mariners

John Olerud decided to return home, agreeing Tuesday to a $20-million, three-year contract with the Seattle Mariners and spurning a chance to re-sign with the New York Mets.

The first baseman, coming off an $8-million, two-year deal, said the Mets made a “very comparable” offer.

Olerud, 30, has spent the last three seasons with the Mets, who acquired him from the Toronto Blue Jays. He hit .298 this year with 19 home runs and 96 RBIs.

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The Cincinnati Reds offered salary arbitration to pitcher Juan Guzman, 33, but formally cut ties with outfielder Greg Vaughn, 34, a free agent after hitting 45 home runs last season, because they couldn’t afford his asking price.

Cincinnati also declined to offer arbitration to pitchers Steve Avery and Mark Wohlers.

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Pitcher Steve Trachsel, seeking $18-$20 million over three years, was offered salary arbitration by the Chicago Cubs, allowing the team to negotiate with the pitcher through Jan. 8. Trachsel, 29, was 8-18 last season. Chicago declined to offer arbitration to pitcher Bobby Ayala, catcher Benito Santiago and infielders Mickey Morandini and Jeff Blauser. . . . The Cleveland Indians offered arbitration to outfielder Wil Cordero and signed pitcher Mark Langston, but didn’t offer arbitration to designated hitter Harold Baines, second baseman Carlos Baerga and pitchers Dwight Gooden and Paul Assenmacher. . . . Joe Girardi’s career with the New York Yankees ended when the team failed to offer the 35-year-old catcher salary arbitration. Reliever Allen Watson, 29, signed a two-year, $3.2-million contract to remain a Yankee.

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Reliever Jeff Brantley, 36, sidelined for most of the season after shoulder surgery before becoming a free agent, re-signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, agreeing to a $250,000, one-year contract that could be worth has much as $2.75 million with incentives. . . . Shortstop Rey Sanchez agreed to a two-year, $4.6-million contract with the Kansas City Royals. . . . Baseball officials are investigating the signing of Atlanta Brave prospect Wilson Betemit, who may have joined the organization before his 16th birthday. . . . Umpires still aligned with ousted leader Richie Phillips filed objections in New York to last week’s union election, accusing baseball owners of illegally helping the new labor group gain power. The National Labor Relations Board will rule on the matter.