Rockies, Hampton Near Record Deal

Mike Hampton, the most coveted left-hander on the free-agent market, reached a preliminary agreement Friday on an eight-year, $121-million deal with the Colorado Rockies, the largest contract in baseball history.

The deal is contingent on Hampton passing a physical and other minor details, according to two baseball officials who spoke on the condition they not be identified.

Hampton, who went 15-10 for the New York Mets last season, would be the second prominent left-hander to sign with Colorado this week. Denny Neagle agreed to a two-year, $51.5-million deal on Monday.

In total dollars, the deal surpasses the previous high of $116.5 million, a nine-year contract Ken Griffey Jr. agreed to with the Cincinnati last February. The previous high for a pitcher had been Kevin Brown’s $105 million, seven-year contract with Los Angeles.

“It’s not a done deal,” Colorado spokesman Jay Alves said. “Serious negotiations are taking place, but it looks good.”

The Denver Rocky Mountain News, which broke the news of Rockies-Hampton agreement Friday on its Web site, said the deal includes an option for 2009.

Hampton, a 28-year-old left-hander, has a 6.88 career earned-run average at Coors Field. The contract includes a $20-million signing bonus, $1 million if which goes to charity and $19 million deferred and payable in the 10 years after the contract expires.

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The Texas Rangers bolstered their lineup, signing free-agent first baseman Andres Galarraga to a two-year, $6.25-million contract.

“We’re happy to add a player of his caliber and character to the organization,” General Manager Doug Melvin said. “It fills one of our needs. We were looking to add a bat with RBI and home run potential.”

The Rangers also have a $7 million club option for 2002, with a buyout of either $250,000 or $500,000, depending on his plate appearances.

Galarraga, 39, who was not offered salary arbitration by Atlanta, hit .302 with 28 homers and 100 RBIs last season for the Braves after missing all of 1999 because of a cancerous tumor in his back.

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Mark Grace quickly put his career with the Chicago Cubs behind him and agreed with the Arizona Diamondbacks on a two-year, $6-million contract.

Grace, who earned $5.3 million last season, was willing to accept less money for a chance to live year-round at his home in suburban Scottsdale with his wife and newborn son.

Last season, Grace hit just .280, his lowest average in nine years. He had only 11 home runs with 82 RBIs and 95 walks.

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The Chicago Cubs got some much-needed help for their shaky bullpen, reaching a tentative agreement with closer Tom Gordon on a two-year, $5-million contract and agreeing to terms with Jeff Fassero for $5.1 million over two years. . . . The San Francisco Giants signed veteran utilityman Shawon Dunston to a one-year deal. Dunston, 37, will be making his third tour with the team--he played for the Giants in 1996 and 1998 after spending last year with the St. Louis Cardinals, where in 98 games he batted .250. . . . The Toronto Blue Jays signed left-handed reliever Dan Plesac to a $2.4 million, one-year contract. Plesac, 38, went 5-1 with a 3.15 ERA in 62 relief appearances for Arizona last season.

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Highest Pitcher Salaries

Baseball contracts for pitchers with average annual values of $8.5 million or more. Figures include all guaranteed income but not income from potential incentive bonuses:

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Player, Club Years Average Salary Roger Clemens, N.Y. Yankees 2001-02 $15,450,000 Mike Hampton, Colorado 2001-08 $15,125,000 Kevin Brown, Dodgers 1999-05 $15,000,000 Mike Mussina, N.Y. Yankees 2001-06 $14,750,000 Randy Johnson, Arizona 1999-02 $13,100,000 Pedro Martinez, Boston 1998-03 $12,500,000 Greg Maddux, Atlanta 1998-02 $11,500,000 Denny Neagle, Colorado 2001-05 $10,300,000 Chuck Finley, Cleveland 2000-02 $9,000,000 Brad Radke, Minnesota 2001-04 $9,000,000 Tom Glavine, Atlanta 1998-01 $8,500,000 Andy Pettitte, N.Y. Yankees 2000-02 $8,500,000

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