Free-agent outfielder Reggie Sanders and the St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to a two-year deal worth $6 million, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reported Monday night.
The deal is expected to be made official later this week.
Earlier Monday, the Cardinals and free-agent pitcher Jeff Suppan reached agreement on a two-year deal, also for $6 million, The Associated Press reported.
Sanders will make $2 million in 2004 and $4 million in 2005, Stark reported. Sanders played for the Pirates last season, hitting .285 with 31 home runs and 87 RBI in 130 games.
Suppan gives St. Louis a much-needed pitcher for their depleted rotation. Suppan's contract was finalized after he took a physical, a baseball source familiar with the negotiations told AP on the condition of anonymity.
Suppan, 29 next month, went 13-11 with a 4.19 ERA for Pittsburgh
and Boston. The right-hander has pitched at least 200 innings for
five straight years, and a durable starter is exactly what the
Cardinals needed.
St. Louis faded late last season, finishing three games behind
the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central. The Cardinals made it through
the year despite a patchwork rotation, with ace Matt Morris
continuing to battle injuries.
Since the season ended, the Cardinals have parted ways with
starters Garrett Stephenson, Brett Tomko and Sterling Hitchcock.
Woody Williams and Morris are the only full-time regulars
remaining from the rotation. The Cardinals also have spot starter
Jason Simontacchi and Dan Haren, who made 14 starts as a rookie.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.