PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- The New York Mets Thursday night signed two-time Cy Young winner Bret Saberhagen to a three-year contract extension pact worth $13.9 million for the 1994, 1995 and 1996 seasons with an option for 1997, the club announced.
The option portion of the deal could enable the right-hander to earn at least an additional 5 million.
Saberhagen will also receive a $2.5 million signing bonus, a salary of $3.05million in 1994, which increases by one million for 1995, and $4.3 million in 1996.
Additionally, Saberhagen will receive for the 1994-95 seasons the amount of $479,656.65 in deferred payments, giving the 28 year-old former Kansas City pitcher a total of $15.38 million.
Saberhagen will receive a salary of $5 million in 1997 if he pitches 225 innnings in 1996 or 400 innings in 1995 and 1996; if he pitches 225 innings in two of the three years of the contract, he'll pocket $5.25 million. The figure jumps to $5.5 million if he pitches 225 innings in all three years of the contract.
As a result of the deferred payments, Saberhagen will earn $250,000 annually during the years 2004 through 2028. The contract also includes incentive bonuses for Cy Young awards and total innings pitched.
'I 'm thrilled to have been able to finalize Bret's contract before the start of the season,' sAid Mets General Manager Al Harazin. 'I consider him one of the premier pitchers in the game of baseball today.'
Saberhagen, along with Bill Pecota, was acquired from Kansas City by the Mets Dec. 11, 1991 in exchange for infielders Keith Miller, Greg Jefferies and outfielder Kevin McReynolds. The Chicago native was plagued by an inflamed index finger on his right hand last season, going 3-5 with a 3.05 earned run average in 17 games and 15 starts.
'I was disappointed when I was traded from Kansas City,' sAid Saberhagen, who will pitch for the Mets Saturday night in New Orleans. 'but when I got to New York, I really liked it. I think the fornt office is committed to building a championship team, and I want to be a part of that. I watned toget this dne before the season started so I can concentrate on baseball.'
