Biggio’s Deal Astro-nomical; Delgado, Blue Jays Appear Set

Craig Biggio wanted to stay in Houston. Harold Baines wanted to be back in Baltimore. The Toronto Blue Jays desperately wanted to hang on to first baseman Carlos Delgado. They all appeared to get their wishes Thursday.

Biggio and the Astros agreed to a $28-million, three-year contract extension that makes him the highest-paid second baseman in baseball--and the highest-paid player in franchise history.

Baines, traded from the Orioles to the Indians in August, returned to Baltimore for a $2-million, one-year contract.

The Blue Jays and Delgado, meanwhile, have agreed on a three-year contract, according to the Toronto Sun and broadcast reports. The deal is expected to be announced today.

Delgado, who hit .272 with 44 home runs and a team-record-tying 134 RBIs, was to become a free agent after the 2000 season. The Blue Jays had reportedly been offering Delgado $60 million over five years. After all-star outfielder Shawn Green rejected a contract extension offer and was traded to the Dodgers, the Blue Jays wanted to avoid doing that with Delgado.

Biggio, 33, hit .294 with 16 homers, 73 RBIs, 28 steals and a club-record 56 doubles last season.

Biggio’s $8.25-million average annual salary in the next four years tops the $8 million Roberto Alomar averages with Cleveland.

“Not a lot of guys get to play their whole careers with one team because of the economics of the game,” Biggio said. “I can’t think of a better time to be wearing an Astros uniform.”

Baines, 40, hit .322 with 24 homers and 81 RBIs in 107 games with the Orioles last season. After being traded to the Indians, he batted .271 in 28 games.

“I’m not a guy who shows a lot of emotion,” Baines said, “but it’s good to be back in Baltimore.”

In other free-agent news, catcher Brent Mayne and the Colorado Rockies agreed to a $4.15 million, two-year contract.

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The Angels, who were 70-92 in 1999, will not raise prices on season tickets, according to President Tony Tavares. Single-game ticket prices are to be determined.