A’s Decline Option on Stairs
The Oakland Athletics announced Monday they will decline to pick up the $4-million option on right fielder Matt Stairs’ contract for next season.
Stairs, 32, will remain on the Athletics’ 40-man roster pending salary arbitration.
He is not eligible for free agency until after the 2001 season.
Stairs, who earned $3.05 million this year, struggled after posting consecutive 100 RBI seasons.
He batted .227 with 21 home runs and 81 RBIs in 143 games.
He also had one hit in nine at-bats in three playoff games, as the Athletics lost their American League division series to the New York Yankees in five games.
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The Milwaukee Brewers will open their new $400-million Miller Park with exhibition games against the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox on March 30 and 31, Brewer officials said.
The Brewers will move into Miller Park next season after playing at Milwaukee County Stadium since 1970, when the Seattle Pilots moved to Milwaukee.
Boston and Milwaukee played the first game at County Stadium, an exhibition on April 6, 1953.
The Brewers will play their first regular-season game at Miller Park on April 6 against the Cincinnati Reds.
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