GaryMrMets
03-02-2003, 08:55 PM
Dodgers Renew Closer Gagne's Contract for $550,000
Kinkade Also Has Deal Renewed to Put All L.A. Players Under Contract
By JOHN NADEL
.c The Associated Press
VERO BEACH, Fla. (March 2) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers renewed the contracts of closer Eric Gagne and utility player Mike Kinkade on Sunday.
Coming off one of the best seasons for a reliever in the big-league history, Gagne will earn $550,000.
A part-time starter the previous two years, the 27-year-old right-hander had a club-record 52 saves in 56 chances along with a 4-1 record and 1.97 ERA last season. He walked 16 and struck out 114 in 82 1/3 innings.
"It is not a distraction at all,'' Gagne said of his contract situation. "I thought about it a little bit, but there's nothing I can do about it. It didn't work out. I'll just go out there and play as hard as I can.''
With two years and 119 days of big-league service time, Gagne fell 18 days short of qualifying for arbitration.
The 29-year-old Kinkade split last season between the Dodgers and Triple-A Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League. He played in 37 games with the Dodgers, hitting .380 with two homers and 11 RBI.
With the signing of outfielder Dave Roberts for $400,000 on Saturday, the Dodgers have all their players under contract for the upcoming season.
Roberts hit .277 with three homers, 34 RBI and 45 stolen bases last year in his first full big-league season. Previously, he had played in 75 for Cleveland from 1999-2001.
The Dodgers acquired the 30-year-old outfielder from the Indians for minor league left-handers Christian Bridenbaugh and Nial Hughes in December 2001.
03/02/03 10:39 EST
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
Kinkade Also Has Deal Renewed to Put All L.A. Players Under Contract
By JOHN NADEL
.c The Associated Press
VERO BEACH, Fla. (March 2) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers renewed the contracts of closer Eric Gagne and utility player Mike Kinkade on Sunday.
Coming off one of the best seasons for a reliever in the big-league history, Gagne will earn $550,000.
A part-time starter the previous two years, the 27-year-old right-hander had a club-record 52 saves in 56 chances along with a 4-1 record and 1.97 ERA last season. He walked 16 and struck out 114 in 82 1/3 innings.
"It is not a distraction at all,'' Gagne said of his contract situation. "I thought about it a little bit, but there's nothing I can do about it. It didn't work out. I'll just go out there and play as hard as I can.''
With two years and 119 days of big-league service time, Gagne fell 18 days short of qualifying for arbitration.
The 29-year-old Kinkade split last season between the Dodgers and Triple-A Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League. He played in 37 games with the Dodgers, hitting .380 with two homers and 11 RBI.
With the signing of outfielder Dave Roberts for $400,000 on Saturday, the Dodgers have all their players under contract for the upcoming season.
Roberts hit .277 with three homers, 34 RBI and 45 stolen bases last year in his first full big-league season. Previously, he had played in 75 for Cleveland from 1999-2001.
The Dodgers acquired the 30-year-old outfielder from the Indians for minor league left-handers Christian Bridenbaugh and Nial Hughes in December 2001.
03/02/03 10:39 EST
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.