Burnitz, Rockies Agree to a Deal

Jeromy Burnitz and the Colorado Rockies agreed to a one-year contract Saturday that guarantees the outfielder $1.5 million, and the Rockies cut ties with Jay Payton.

Burnitz split time last year between the New York Mets and the Dodgers, hitting a combined .239 with 31 home runs and 77 runs batted in. Burnitz was an All-Star in 1999 for Milwaukee and has hit at least 30 homers in five of his last six seasons.

The contract calls for a $1.25-million salary next season and gives the sides a $3-million mutual option with a $250,000 buyout. It is contingent on Burnitz’s passing a physical.

Burnitz will replace Payton in Colorado’s outfield. The Rockies declined to offer Payton a contract by Saturday’s deadline, making him a free agent.

Payton hit .302 with 28 home runs and 89 RBIs in 2003. But the Rockies did not want to pay him what he would have gotten in salary arbitration. The Rockies also did not offer contracts to right-handed pitcher Scott Elarton and infielder Kit Pellow.