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Mariners, Figgins reach four-year deal

The Columbian
Published: December 5, 2009, 12:00am

Beltre not likely to accept salary arbitration

Chone Figgins is moving up the coast in the AL West. And Seattle has a dynamic replacement for Adrian Beltre at third base — even before Beltre is officially gone.

The Mariners and Figgins have reached a preliminary agreement on a $36 million, four-year contract pending a physical, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Friday night.

The contract for the former Los Angeles Angels sparkplug includes a vesting option for 2014 that could make the deal worth $45 million over five years.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Mariners had yet to announce the deal, which was first reported to be close by Foxsports.com.

“Nothing to comment on,” Mariners spokesman Tim Hevly wrote in an e-mail to the AP on Friday night.

The 31-year-old Figgins is coming off one of his best seasons, leading the American League with 101 walks and posting a career-high on-base percentage of .395. The All-Star speedster batted .298 with five homers and 54 RBI as Los Angeles won its third consecutive division title.

He is a career .291 hitter who has averaged 48 stolen bases during his eight seasons in the major leagues, all with the Angels.

Figgins gives Seattle a formidable pair at the top of its batting order with nine-time All-Star Ichiro Suzuki and a vastly different offense compared to Beltre at third. Figgins had a career-best nine homers and 62 RBI in 2006; Beltre had hit at least 25 homers in three consecutive seasons before this year.

Beltre has until Monday to accept Seattle’s offer of salary arbitration, but it’s unlikely he’ll do it. He wants to test the free-agent market.

If Beltre declines the offer and signs with another team, Seattle will receive a compensatory pick in next June’s draft. It will be around 15 picks after the No. 18 overall choice the Mariners will surrender to sign Figgins, a Type-A free agent.

Red Sox agree to deal with Scutaro — Marco Scutaro and the Boston Red Sox agreed to a contract that guarantees Scutaro $12.5 million over two seasons over $14 million over three.

He will get a $1 million signing bonus and $5 million salaries in 2010 and 2011. The club holds a $6 million option for 2012, and if it declines Scutaro could exercise a $3 million option or take a $1.5 million buyout.

Dealing Jenks not in works — White Sox general manager Ken Williams said Friday that he is not shopping Bobby Jenks and too much has been made of a perceived rift between the team and its closer.

Jenks’ status has been an issue since the end of last season, when a calf injury sidelined him for the final two weeks.

Penny, Uribe turn down offers from Giants — Right-hander Brad Penny and infielder Juan Uribe have turned down one-year contract offers to return to the San Francisco Giants.

“In both cases you always want to put yourself on the other side,” Sabean said in a conference call. “I don’t know that they have enough information as to what they were hearing in the market to be able to react to our timing needs.”

Zaun agrees to deal with Brewers — Catcher Gregg Zaun and the Milwaukee Brewers agreed to a $2.15 million, one-year contract.

Zaun gets a $500,000 signing bonus and a $1.4 million salary next season. His deal includes a $2.25 million club option for 2011 with a $250,000 buyout.

The 38-year-old split last season with Baltimore and Tampa Bay, hitting a combined .260 with eight home runs and 27 RBI in 90 games.

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