Galarraga, Braves Decide to Part Ways

The Atlanta Braves refused to offer salary arbitration to Andres Galarraga on Thursday, probably ending the first baseman’s stay with the club.

Galarraga’s $24.75-million, three-year contract expired at the end of the season and he became a free agent. After sitting out the 1999 season while battling cancer, Galarraga hit .302 with 28 homers and 100 runs batted in.

Free agents not offered arbitration by their former teams by Thursday can’t re-sign until May 1. The Braves made an offer Wednesday morning, but Galarraga’s agent, Jim Bronner, said it was too low. Galarraga is seeking a two-year contract.

Players offered arbitration have until Dec. 19 to accept or reject the offers and can negotiate with their former teams through Jan. 8.

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David Cone decided he did not want to be the New York Yankees’ fifth starter and turned down the chance to remain with the World Series champions.

Cone, 4-14 last season, could have stayed for about $500,000 guaranteed and the chance to earn more in performance bonuses. The free-agent pitcher was not offered salary arbitration.

Infielder Luis Sojo and pitcher Dwight Gooden, meanwhile, are staying with the Yankees. Sojo agreed to a $500,000, one-year contract. Gooden agreed to a minor league deal.

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Jay Buhner will return to Seattle for his 14th consecutive season with the Mariners, agreeing to a one-year, $1.85-million contract. Buhner, 36, had a $1.45 million base salary last season, when he hit .253 with 26 home runs and 82 RBIs in 112 games. . . . The New York Mets offered salary arbitration to pitchers Mike Hampton and Bobby J. Jones but declined on outfielder Derek Bell and shortstop Mike Bordick. . . . Juan Gonzalez has been offered salary arbitration by the Detroit Tigers. . . . Right-hander Cal Eldred signed a one-year, $1-million contract with the Chicago White Sox. The deal also includes a second-year team option for $750,000. If the option isn’t exercised, Eldred gets a $250,000 buyout. The club also announced that it offered salary arbitration to catcher Charles Johnson and designated hitter Harold Baines. . . . John Wetteland, the Texas Rangers’ career saves leader, was not offered salary arbitration and is considering retiring because of a back problem. . . . As expected, the Cleveland Indians offered salary arbitration to free-agent right fielder Manny Ramirez, catcher Sandy Alomar and first baseman David Segui. . . . The Colorado Rockies refused to offer salary arbitration to center fielder Jeffrey Hammonds. Hammonds sought a contract worth $8 million-$9 million a year, but the Rockies ownership thought that was too steep. . . . The San Francisco Giants have re-signed right-hander Mark Gardner to a one-year contract. . . . Free agent right-hander Frank Castillo, 10-5 with a 3.59 ERA for Toronto last season, agreed to terms with the Boston Red Sox on a two-year deal and the club also re-signed left-hander Pete Schourek to a minor league contract.