Pirates sign Boehringer to 2-year deal
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Right-handed reliever Brian Boehringer, a setup man who revived his career with Pittsburgh last season, agreed Thursday to a $3.8 million, two-year contract. The deal includes the chance to make $100,000 annually in performance bonuses and a $3 million club option for 2005 with a $300,000 buyout.
Boehringer signed with Pittsburgh as a minor league free agent and went on to make a career-high 70 appearances, often pitching the eighth inning before closer Mike Williams came on.
Boehringer was 4-4 with one save and a 3.39 ERA and limited batters to a .225 average. He also had two high-visibility flare-ups, one with shortstop Jack Wilson over a ground ball that wasn’t fielded and another with manager Lloyd McClendon for ordering a batter intentionally walked just ahead of a grand slam.
Before joining the Pirates, the 32-year-old Boehringer pitched for the Yankees, Padres and Giants. He has a career record of 20-27 with three saves and a 4.19 ERA in 273 career games.
To make room for Boehringer on their 40-man roster, the Pirates designated outfielder Tike Redman for assignment. He hit .238 in 46 games with Pittsburgh in 2000 and 2001.
Boehringer became a free agent after the World Series and the Pirates offered him salary arbitration last weekend. They declined arbitration on catcher Keith Osik, who had been with the organization since 1990; left-hander Ron Villone and infielder Mike Benjamin.
Boehringer gets $1.5 million in 2003 and $2 million in 2004. He can earn ad addition $20,000 each year for appearing in 65 games, $30,000 for 70 games and $50,000 for 75 games.