SEATTLE, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- First baseman John Olerud reportedly has agreed to a two-year contract worth between $15 million and $16 million to remain with the Seattle Mariners.
While he is eligible for an arbitration offer before Saturday's midnight Eastern time deadline, the Seattle Times reported Friday that Olerud, a 34-year-old Seattle native, negotiated his deal while vacationing in Hawaii with his family.
The team was unavailable for comment.
The report stated that the Mariners are expected to make the announcement Saturday instead of putting Olerud's name on the list of players they will offer salary arbitration.
Olerud collected a base salary of $6.95 million last season, when he hit .300 with 22 home runs and 102 RBI in 154 games.
The 13-year veteran also won his second Gold Glove in three seasons with the Mariners.
Olerud, who underwent brain surgery in 1989 to remove an aneurysm, is a lifetime .300 hitter with 229 homers and 1,062 RBI. He also has played for Toronto and the New York Mets.
The two-time All-Star had his best year in 1993, setting career highs in average (.363), doubles (54), home runs (24), RBI (107), runs scored (109), and hits (200).
The Mariners reportedly are considering offering arbitration to lefthanders Jamie Moyer and Norm Charlton. Moyer, one of the top starters in the American League the past few seasons, likely will command big dollars in the free agent market.
