Mets, Sanchez Agree to One-Year Deal

Reliever Duaner Sanchez and the Mets closed on an $850,000, one-year contract yesterday, more than double the $399,500 he earned last season.

Sanchez was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers on January 4 last year, and the 27-year-old right-hander went 5–1 with 2.60 ERA in 49 relief appearances. Sanchez's season ended after he separated his pitching shoulder July 30 while riding in a cab that got into an accident near the team's hotel in Florida. He had surgery two days later.

In addition to his salary, Sanchez could earn $100,000 in performance bonuses: $25,000 each for 50, 55, 60, and 65 games.

Sanchez's agent, Andrew Lowenthal, said the deal had been agreed to. Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz said there were some final details be worked out. Three Mets remain eligible to file for salary arbitration by Friday: catcher Ramon Castro, outfielder Endy Chavez, and lefthander Oliver Perez.