Reds Give Larkin the Deal He Sought

Hours after he rejected a trade to the New York Mets, all-star shortstop Barry Larkin agreed Sunday to a three-year, $27-million contract extension that will keep him with his hometown Reds through 2003.

Appearing in a suit and tie at the Reds’ executive offices five hours after a 5-3 victory over Arizona, Larkin admitted he was stunned when owner Carl Lindner decided to give him almost exactly what he had sought.

“This has all really come as a shock to me,” Larkin said. “Today I fielded questions about possibly being a Met. Now Mr. Lindner and the organization have stepped up and signed me for three more years as a Red.”

Five days earlier, the Reds informed Larkin that they wouldn’t meet his request for a three-year, $27.9-million extension, prompting General Manager Jim Bowden to work out a tentative trade with the Mets for three players.

Larkin blocked the deal because the Mets wouldn’t offer an extension, then was approached by Bowden after Sunday’s game about having a meeting with the Reds’ owner.

A little less than one-third of the $27 million will be deferred over 15 years. Larkin, who makes $5.3 million this season, will get $6 million next year.

Ken Griffey Jr., who blocked a trade to the Mets last December, had offered to defer some of his $116.5-million deal to help keep Larkin in Cincinnati. Chief operating officer John Allen said the club didn’t take him up on the offer.

The Reds will have to raise ticket prices to compensate for the contract, Allen said. The Reds will depend upon ticket revenues until they move into a new stadium in 2003, the final year of Larkin’s new deal.

“I announce that right now: There’s going to be a ticket price increase and possibly before the end of this season,” Allen said.

Earlier, Larkin said that Bowden failed to tell the Mets in advance about his conditions for approving the trade. Larkin wanted a multiyear extension, but the Mets were only interested in him as a stopgap for with shortstop Rey Ordonez sidelined by a broken arm this season.

“Yeah, I’m disappointed,” Met General Manager Steve Phillips. “But at this point, we’ve got to move forward.”

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Boston first baseman-designated hitter Mike Stanley, who was put on the 15-day disabled list July 5 after struggling with his hitting, was designated for assignment. The Red Sox also activated reliever Rod Beck and brought up third baseman Sean Berry from Pawtucket of the International League. Pitcher John Wasdin and first baseman-designated hitter Morgan Burkhart were sent to Pawtucket. The Red Sox reportedly are trying to obtain first baseman Rico Brogna from Philadelphia. . . . Pitcher Erik Hiljus was recalled from triple-A Toledo by the Detroit Tigers, who sent catcher-first baseman Eric Munson to double-A Jacksonville.