Mariners, League have 1-year deal

By GREGG BELL AP Sports Writer

Story

Summary

Reliever Brandon League and the Mariners agreed Wednesday night to a $1,087,500 one-year contract that avoids arbitration, on the eve of Seattle's expected completion of a $78 million, five-year deal for ace Felix Hernandez.

Story Published: Jan 20, 2010 at 10:38 PM PST

SEATTLE (AP) - Reliever Brandon League and the Mariners agreed Wednesday night to a $1,087,500 one-year contract that avoids arbitration, on the eve of Seattle's expected completion of a $78 million, five-year deal for ace Felix Hernandez.

The team expects Hernandez to complete a physical Thursday afternoon that will finalize his new contract. That deal will also avoid arbitration and keep the 23-year-old right hander from leaving in free agency following the 2011 season.

League is the third Mariners reliever to sign a one-year contract and avoid arbitration this week, after Mark Lowe ($1.15 million) and closer David Aardsma ($2.75 million).

Seattle acquired the 26-year-old, hard-throwing reliever from Toronto last month along with minor league outfielder Johermyn Chavez for reliever Brandon Morrow.

League had asked the Mariners for $1.325 million in initial arbitration offers, while the Mariners countered with $900,000.

Last season with Toronto, League made $640,000 while appearing in 67 games and going 3-6 with a 4.58 ERA and 76 strikeouts. The ground-ball specialist excelled on grass, on which Seattle plays its home games.

League has a 4.09 ERA in 168 career appearances.

Beyond Hernandez, Seattle's only arbitration-eligible player remaining is first baseman Casey Kotchman.

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AP Sports Writers Ronald Blum and Mike Fitzpatrick in New York contributed to this report.