BASEBALL : Bargains Galore in Heavy Trading

NEW YORK — It was the sale of the century for baseball teams on Friday.

Faced with two midnight EDT deadlines tied to salary arbitration, teams scrambled to settle contracts. The result was another massive shopping spree, as if the long off-season had been compressed into a few short days.

By early evening, more than two dozen players had signed, with Oakland and Kansas City getting the bargains. Former Cy Young Award winner Bob Welch, who made $2.9 million with the Athletics last season, re-signed for $225,000 and no performance bonuses.

Catcher Pat Borders, who made $2.5 million with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1994, signed with the Kansas City Royals for $310,000. Cleveland signed left-hander Bud Black for $350,000, an eighth of the $3 million he made last season.

The Chicago Cubs re-signed first baseman Mark Grace at a discount, getting him for $4.05 million, a cut of $350,000. Outfielder Luis Gonzalez re-signed with Houston for $1.4 million, a cut of $230,000.

Teams pinched their marginal players, threatening them with release. Texas pitcher Kenny Rogers was one of the few players to get a big raise, agreeing to a $3.7 million, one-year contract, an increase of $1.4 million.

But the Rangers decided not to offer a contract to reliever John Burkett, acquired from the San Francisco Giants on Dec. 22 for two minor leaguers. Barring a late change, he’ll become a free agent today.

Free agent third baseman Terry Pendleton and the Florida Marlins agreed to a $1.5 million, one-year deal with an option.

“I bring leadership with me as well as my play in the field,” said Pendleton, 34, limited to 77 games last season by a back injury.

The Marlins also signed infielder Jerry Browne to a one-year deal worth $650,000.

Oakland signed infielder Mike Bordick to a $1.35 million, one-year contract and pitcher Dave Leiper to a $160,000, one-year contract. Second baseman Mark Lemke re-signed with Atlanta for $1.25 million.

Boston signed three players eligible for arbitration: infielder Luis Alicea ($800,000) and Terry Shumpert ($250,000) and outfielder Wes Chamberlain ($350,000).

Free agent right-hander Kirk McCaskill decided to go back to the Chicago White Sox, agreeing to a $1.5-million, two-year deal that pays him $750,000 per season.

Pitcher Joe Boever and Detroit agreed to a $1.15-million, two-year deal ($500,000 in 1995, $650,000 in 1996). The Tigers also signed Kirk Gibson, 38, to a $1.3-million, one-year contract.

First baseman Tino Martinez, threatened with release by Seattle, accepted a $1-million, one-year deal, twice his 1994 salary. The Mariners re-signed pitcher Dave Fleming for $750,000 and catcher for Chad Kreuter $555,000.

Pittsburgh signed free agent pitcher Jim Gott for $900,000 and agreed to a $720,000, one-year deal with pitcher Denny Neagle.

Free agent Bill Kreuger went back to San Diego for $230,000, and infielder Scott Livingston and the Padres agreed to a $400,000, one-year contract.

First baseman David Segui and the New York Mets agreed at $600,000.

Philadelphia agreed to deals with pitcher David West at $950,000 and second baseman Mickey Morandini at $975,000.

St. Louis signed pitcher John Habyan for $300,000, first baseman Gerald Perry for $295,000 and catcher Scott Hemond for $350,000.

San Francisco signed pitcher Trevor Wilson for $400,000, and the Royals signed catcher Brent Mayne for $625,000.

In moves that were brewing, the Colorado Rockies were closing in on free agents Larry Walker and Bill Swift. Also, the Mariners were said to be shopping pitcher Randy Johnson, with the New York Yankees possibly in the chase for the ace.

The AL and NL also released their revised schedules. Opening day is April 25 when the Dodgers play at Florida.