Avery agrees to deal with Reds
Former Red Sox pitcher to ink one-year, $1.5 million pact
Posted: Friday December 11, 1998 10:54 PM
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The exodus continues: Steve Avery, 10-7 with a 5.02 ERA this year, is the latest Red Sox player to leave Andy Lyons/Allsport |
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) -- Hoping that pitching will help them get in
contention next season, the Cincinnati Reds agreed
Friday night to a $1.5 million, one-year contract with Steve Avery.
The 28-year-old left-hander, a star with Atlanta from 1991-94, had spent
the past two seasons with Boston, going 16-14.
"We're trying to figure out how to win with payrolls in the $20 million
range," Cincinnati general manager Jim Bowden said. "The best way to win is
pitching and defense."
Bowden also said there is a "99.9 percent chance" Barry Larkin
and Denny
Neagle will be with the Reds on opening day and won't be traded. Bowden
spoke Thursday with Larkin, who has spent his entire career with the Reds
and wants to be traded to a high-payroll team. Larkin is signed for two
more seasons.
"I understand that. I understand that without question. I understand
where he's coming from," Bowden said. "I understand why any player wants to
be traded to one of the six teams with $60-to-$80 million payrolls. I
understand why every player with a multiyear contract wants to be traded so
he can renegotiate."
Bowden said Larkin, who has a $5.3 million annual salary, knows he's not
going anywhere.
"I can't keep beating a dead horse, can I?" Bowden quoted Larkin as
saying. "I said, sure you can. I'll keep listening."
Avery, 10-7 with a 5.02 ERA this year, becomes yet another player to
leave the Red Sox, who also have lost Mo Vaughn, Greg Swindell
and Mike
Benjamin while adding only Jose Offerman
and Mark
Portugal.
"I think the Mo situation was he just wanted to move on," Avery said.
"The other stuff that's going on, everyone is going to have their own
opinion. I'm sure there's going to be criticism. They don't need to hear
me."
Avery, 55-18 with the Braves, said he chose Cincinnati because it's close
to his home near Detroit, it's in the National League and the Reds wanted
him.
He joins a staff that includes Neagle, Pete Harnisch
and Brett
Tomko, all 10-game winners this year. Cincinnati also has Jason Bere, a
10-game winner in 1993 and '94.
Bowden said that even if the Reds don't contend, the deal puts him in
good position to obtain prospects at the July 31 trading deadline.
"I hope to have as much pitching as I can in case we're not in it," he
said.
In addition to the base salary, Avery can earn $1 million in performance
bonuses based on points. He would get the entire amount if he makes 32
starts.
Avery get a $500,000 base salary for next season. There is a mutual
option for 2000 at $3 million with a $1 million buyout.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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