SEATTLE (AP) -Erik Bedard and the Seattle Mariners agreed Tuesday on a $7.75 million, one-year contract that gave him a raise of $750,000 and avoided salary arbitration.
Hours after Bedard’s deal was completed, reliever Aaron Heilman and the Mariners finalized a one-year contract worth $1,625,000.
The moves came one day after right-hander Felix Hernandez got a $3.8 million, one-year contract, so Seattle did not have a player go to an arbitration hearing for the sixth consecutive year.
“It is good to settle all these negotiations and head into spring training focused on working hard and getting prepared for the 2009 season,” first-time general manager Jack Zduriencik said.
covering from surgery on his pitching shoulder in September. He went 6-4 with a 3.67 ERA in 15 starts in his abbreviated first season with the Mariners.
Bedard’s raise could total more than $1.3 million if he stays healthy in 2009. Bedard, who turns 30 in March, can make $600,000 in performance bonuses: $75,000 for 150 innings, $100,000 for 165 innings, $150,000 for 180 innings, $125,000 for 195 innings and $150,000 for 205 innings.
The team expects the left-hander to be ready for its first workouts for pitchers and catchers at spring training on Feb. 13.
“All our reports this winter are that his rehabilitation is going very well,” Zduriencik said. “We are excited to see a healthy pitcher take the hill this season.”
Seattle acquired Heilman last month from the Mets as part of the 12-player, three-team trade that sent former Mariners closer J.J. Putz to New York. The 30-year-old Heilman was 3-8 with a 5.21 ERA in 78 appearances in 2008.
“Aaron is a very versatile pitcher and is an important part of our pitching staff in 2009,” Zduriencik said.
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AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.
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