Cards Re-Sign Kile to $23-Million Deal

Darryl Kile, coming off his first 20-win season, agreed Thursday to a three-year, $23-million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The deal with the National League Central division champions includes a team option for 2004 and performance bonuses and escalators that could make it worth up to $32.55 million for four seasons.

“We are extremely pleased to keep Darryl in a Cardinals uniform for a long time,” said General Manager Walt Jocketty, who acquired Kile from Colorado after the 1999 season. “Darryl was our top pitcher in 2000 and it is very exciting to build our pitching staff around a true professional and winner.”

Kile (20-9) had a 3.91 earned-run average. He was second to Atlanta’s Tom Glavine (21) in wins, tied for ninth in strikeouts (192), and sixth in innings pitched (232 1/3).

Kile gets a $5-million signing bonus, payable in yearly $1-million installments each Feb. 15, plus salaries of $5 million in 2001, and $5.5 million in each of the 2002 and 2003 seasons.

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Mel Didier, senior assistant to the general manager for the Arizona Diamondbacks, has resigned effective at the end of the year.

The team made the announcement but did not give a reason for Didier’s departure.

Didier joined the Diamondbacks in 1997 as director of player development.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates are winding down their search for a manager, conducting only one interview this week with only one or two more likely.

After giving Pirate broadcaster and former pitcher Bob Walk his requested interview this week, the team talked to Dodger bench coach Jim Tracy on Thursday.

The Pirates have interviewed only one candidate with a winning major league record, former Arizona manager Buck Showalter, who apparently made a favorable impression on owner Kevin McClatchy and General Manager Cam Bonifay.

They also interviewed St. Louis hitting coach Mike Easler, Cleveland bench coach Grady Little, San Francisco bench coach Ron Wotus, Oakland bench coach Ken Macha and Pirate coaches Lloyd McClendon, Tommy Sandt and Trent Jewett.

Former Pirate manager Gene Lamont, fired Oct. 2 after four losing seasons, interviewed earlier this week with the Cincinnati Reds.

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Ryan Franklin, a member of the U.S. team that won the Olympic gold medal last month, was added to the roster of the Seattle Mariners, who purchased his contract from triple-A Tacoma.

The 27-year-old right-hander was 11-5 with a 3.90 ERA in 31 appearances with the Rainiers this year and struck out 142. He was 3-0 in the Olympics and didn’t give up a run.