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E-mailNotebook: Beltre, Mariners reach agreement
Beltre's contract is subject of him passing a physical, a person close to the third baseman said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The deal could be announced as early as today. Seattle did not comment on the agreement.
A day earlier, the Mariners added another slugger by finalizing a $50 million, four-year contract with free-agent first baseman Richie Sexson.
Seattle finished a distant last in the AL West, going 63-99 for their worst record since 1983. The Mariners was last in the league with only 136 homers and 698 runs.
Beltre, 25, led the majors with 48 home runs for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He hit .334 with 121 RBI, and finished second behind Barry Bonds in the NL MVP voting.
Beltre also improved on defense last season, committing only 10 errors.
The Dodgers wanted to keep Beltre and offered him salary arbitration. But Los Angeles recently gave itself some protection, signing free-agent Jeff Kent and saying that he could play third base, along with his usual spot at second.
"We're disappointed. It hurts," Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta said. "Obviously, we would have loved to have him back."
"I think all of us knew this certainly was a possibility. We feel like we stepped up and made a very competitive offer, actually tried to make it a compelling one by offering a sixth guaranteed year. Unfortunately for us, Adrian decided to go elsewhere."
Beltre made $5 million last season, and figured to cash in after a career year in which he led the Dodgers to the NL West division title and their first postseason spot since 1988.
DePodesta said the Dodgers' six-year offer to Beltre and agent Scott Boras included an option for a seventh season.
When asked if the Dodgers were given a final say in the matter, DePodesta said: "Not in so many words. They didn't come back and say if you can do this, he's coming back."
Martinez happy with choice
Pedro Martinez considered the choices: stay with the World Series champion Boston Red Sox, sign with the NL champion St. Louis Cardinals or become the cornerstone of a reconstruction project with the New York Mets.
In the end, he chose the challenge. Martinez formalized a $53 million, four-year contract with New York yesterday and embraced the idea of helping rebuild a team that has fallen on hard times.
"This is a team that needs a little help. I can supply some of that help," Martinez told a jammed Shea Stadium news conference.
"Boston didn't win for 86 years that seemed like forever. I was proud to be part of that and I hope to do the same here and pull one out," he said.
It will be no simple matter. The Mets followed two last-place finishes by finishing next-to-last in the NL East in 2004. They are starting over with new general manager Omar Minaya, and Martinez became the first marquee move in his effort to make the franchise competitive again.
If Martinez has his way, he won't be the last. Minaya said other high-profile free agents have contacted him, attracted by the Mets' signing of Martinez, and the pitcher wants to help recruit them.
Martinez, who turned 33 on Oct. 25, won two of his three Cy Young awards in seven years with the Red Sox and became one of baseball's top pitchers. He brings a career 2.71 ERA, lowest among active major league pitchers, and was 16-9 last season.
Smoltz, Braves agree to deal
In a deal motivated by his recent return to the starting rotation, John Smoltz agreed yesterday to a new two-year contract with the Braves that increases the chance he will complete his career in Atlanta.
Smoltz, 37, would have been eligible to become a free agent following the 2005 season. He has 154 saves the last four seasons but will have his wish granted to return to the starting rotation following the team's trade for closer Danny Kolb.
Smoltz has a career record of 163-121. He won the National League Cy Young Award in 1996.
Uribe signs on with White Sox
The Chicago White Sox agreed to a $9.75 million, three-year deal with infielder Juan Uribe yesterday, avoiding arbitration.
Uribe hit .283 and set career highs with 23 home runs and 74 RBI last season, his first with the White Sox after being acquired from Colorado..
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