OAKLAND, Calif. -- By signing Jermaine Dye, the Oakland Athletics avoided the danger of losing another slugging superstar to free agency.
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Dye agreed to a $32 million, three-year contract with the A's on
Wednesday. It's believed to be the largest contract ever offered by
the A's, who alienated many members of their already small fan base
this winter by crying poverty as Jason Giambi left for New York.
Dye, acquired from Kansas City by the A's in a July trade, filed
for arbitration Tuesday and could have become a free agent after
next season. But in keeping with Oakland's policy of signing its
young stars to long-term contracts, the team got Dye through the
2004 season.
"I felt this was the perfect player for our club last year, and
that became evident," general manager Billy Beane said. "The step
the A's and Jermaine have taken indicates there's a real commitment
to the younger guys on this team. The fact is, we can look ahead.
There's a great feeling knowing they're here."
Dye's deal calls for a $2 million signing bonus and salaries of
$6.5 million in 2002 and $11 million in each of the following two
years. The sides have a mutual option for 2005 at $14 million, and
Dye would get a $1.5 million buyout if Oakland turns it down.
"A lot of our guys who are young are locked up for three, four
years," Dye said. "When I came here, everything changed in my
mind. It was like I was playing major league baseball for the first
time again. It was fun again."
Dye was an immediate success in the cleanup spot for Oakland
last season, hitting .297 with 13 homers and 59 RBI in 61 games as
the A's won the AL wild card.
"It's obvious the impact he had on this franchise," Beane
said. "If there was one thing we could do, and nothing else, it
would be to sign Jermaine. That's what we've accomplished. He is
probably the absolute perfect creation for right field."
Dye, who grew up in Northern California, hoped to reach a
long-term deal with the A's after enjoying his first three months
with the team. He also has played for Kansas City and Atlanta while
hitting .285 with 110 homers and 425 RBI in his career.
Oakland will expect big numbers from Dye this season after
Giambi's departure for the New York Yankees. The A's also lost
closer Jason Isringhausen (Cardinals) and outfielder Johnny Damon (Red Sox) to free
agency, but Beane thinks he has patched every hole with a series of transactions.
To help replace Damon, the A's acquired David Justice from the
Yankees and moved Terrence Long back to center field after he
struggled last year in left. Long also is expected to take Damon's
leadoff spot.
Oakland acquired hard-throwing closer Billy Koch from Toronto to
replace Isringhausen, whose inconsistency was one of the A's
biggest problems last year. The A's also bolstered their bullpen
with the additions of Mike Venafro and Mike Holtz.
Earlier in the week, the A's acquired Carlos Pena from Texas for
four minor leaguers. Pena is considered one of the game's best
prospects at first base, though Scott Hatteberg, Jeremy Giambi and
Olmedo Saenz also will get a shot at replacing Jason Giambi.
Dye won't be on the field immediately next month in spring
training. He broke his left leg on a foul ball in Game 4 of
Oakland's division playoff series against the Yankees, but he
should be healthy in time for the regular season.
"I've been hitting off a tee and jumping up and down on a
trampoline within the past week," Dye said. "As a player, you
want to hurry up and get into it. I know it will take a little bit
of time. As long as I'm ready by April 1, I'll be fine."
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