Mientkiewicz Agrees to Deal With Twins

The Minnesota Twins avoided arbitration with first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, agreeing Tuesday to a $1.75-million, one-year contract.

Mientkiewicz, 28, batted .261 last season with 10 home runs and 64 runs batted in and a team-high 74 walks for the American League Central champion Twins. In 2001, Mientkiewicz won a Gold Glove and hit .306.

Mientkiewicz made $285,000 last season and asked for $2.05 million in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The Twins offered $1.45 million.

Center fielder Torii Hunter agreed to a $32-million, four-year deal Friday. The Twins’ only player left in arbitration is left fielder Jacque Jones.

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The Angels released reliever Lou Pote, enabling him to accept a one-year, $1-million contract from Japan’s Hanshin Tigers. “Realistically, I couldn’t make that much in the big leagues,” Pote said. “This way, I can set my family up. It’s something I couldn’t pass up at this point in my career.” Pote was out of options and probably wouldn’t have made the roster this spring.... The Angels are discussing minor league contracts with several free agents, General Manager Bill Stoneman said. With Scott Schoeneweis as the only proven left-handed reliever, the Angels could invite a veteran such as Graeme Lloyd or Ron Villone to compete for a job in training camp.... Reliever Francisco Rodriguez is expected to report to spring training on time after receiving visa approval, Stoneman said. Rodriguez lives in Venezuela, where the U.S. Embassy has restricted visa processing and other operations in the wake of a national strike by opponents of President Hugo Chavez.

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Right-hander Scott Strickland agreed to a $950,000, one-year contract with the New York Mets, settling the team’s only salary arbitration case.... First baseman- outfielder Lee Stevens and right-hander Bob Wells agreed to minor league contracts with the Tampa Bay Devils Rays and were invited to spring training.... Charles Gipson agreed to a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs, who sent infielder Augie Ojeda outright to triple-A Iowa.