Arizona Locks Up Anderson for Three Years

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Arizona Locks Up Anderson for Three Years

January 28, 2000 9:15 pm EST

PHOENIX (Reuters) - Once considered prime trade bait, lefthander Brian Anderson signed a three-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but the Arizona Republic reported that the deal is worth between $10 million and $12 million. Anderson, who was eligible for arbitration, made $1.8 million last season.

The 27-year-old Anderson was actively shopped by the Diamondbacks prior to the 1999 season, but no deal was made. Anderson then appeared in 31 games with 19 starts, posting an 8-2 record with a 4.57 ERA.

"I'm thrilled that we were able to get this deal accomplished with Brian," general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said. "B.A. went through a lot last season, but he did not let anything affect him and continued to work extremely hard. We also are very proud of the fact that he was our first choice in the expansion draft and has responded as we hoped."

He was most effective down the stretch, going undefeated in his last four starts (2-0) with a 1.98 ERA as the Diamondbacks clinched the National League West title. He was 7-1 as a starter, including a 7-0 mark at home.

Selected from the Cleveland Indians in the 1997 expansion draft, Anderson allowed a league-high 38 homers in 1998, but cut that number to 18 last season. He also has pitched for the California Angels and owns a 40-31 career record.

With the signing of Anderson, the Diamondbacks will have all five of their projected starters under contract through at least 2001. Lefthanders Randy Johnson and Omar Daal and righthanders Todd Stottlemyre and Armando Reynoso are the others.

Pitcher Brad Clontz and infielder Andy Fox are the only Diamondbacks still eligible for arbitration.

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