PHOENIX – Jeromy Burnitz and the Milwaukee Brewers agreed
Thursday to a $20 million, two-year contract extension through
2003.
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| Burnitz |
The right fielder, who gets $5.3 million this year under the
final season of a $14.5 million, four-year contract, receives a $2
million signing bonus, $6.5 million in 2002 and $11.5 million in
2003.
Burnitz, who had been eligible for free agency after this
season, summed up his feelings in one word, "delighted," but said
he couldn't help remembering the early struggles in his career.
"I always think back, even throughout the last couple years
with the contract I've been under, I always think back to '95 when
I was in Triple-A, getting traded and playing behind three
All-Stars in Cleveland," he said. "How far is this from that? A
long ways away."
"I've said that I want to stay in Milwaukee because I'm pumped
about what is going on here. I'm just very excited."
Burnitz, who turns 32 on April 15, was an All-Star in 1999. He
hit .232 with 31 homers and 98 RBI last year, his worst season
with the Brewers.
Milwaukee agreed to a tentative trade with San Diego last Nov.
15 that would have sent Burnitz to the Padres, but San Diego and
Burnitz failed to agree to an extension within a 72-hour window and
the deal fell through.
Burnitz and his agent, Howard Simon, finalized the contract
Thursday after Milwaukee's exhibition opener.
"This was a tough number for the Milwaukee Brewers and we
realize that," Simon said. "But in the end, we got it done. You
have to give the team credit. They've done a lot of good things
with their personnel this spring. You can see things really moving
forward."
As Milwaukee prepares to move into Miller Park next month, the
Brewers are spending money.
Last Saturday, the Brewers agreed to an $18 million, four-year
extension with left fielder Geoff Jenkins and a $17.5 million,
four-year extension with first baseman Richie Sexson.
A day later, Milwaukee traded backup center fielder Marquis
Grissom to Los Angeles for Devon White, a move that lowered the
Brewers' projected 2002 payroll by $4.1 million
"We are delighted that Jeromy will be staying in a Brewers
uniform through 2003," general manager Dean Taylor said. "Along
with Geoff Jenkins, Richie Sexson and Jeffrey Hammonds, Jeromy will
help form an impressive heart of the order for the next several
years as we enter the Miller Park era."
He said he was glad to get Burnitz's situation with the team
settled.
"There has been a lot of conjecture about Jeromy's future with
this organization," Taylor said. "Quite frankly, I'm very happy
to put this matter to rest. We have said all along Jeromy is a very
important part of our future in this organization."
Sexson and Jenkins homered Thursday in the Brewers' 7-6 victory
over Oakland.
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