P Josh Beckett, 9-9 with a 3.79 ERA for the Marlins in 2004, has avoided arbitration by signing a one-year, $2.4 million contract for next season. Beckett, MVP of the 2003 World Series, earned a little more than $1.5 million in ’04.
The Marlins have successfully signed all of their arbitration eligible players.
In other tales of raises being handed out (in lieu of bigger raises being awarded), Padres 3B Sean Burroughs agreed to a one-year, $1,675,000 contract. In a matter still unsettled, reigning AL Cy Young winner Johan Santana is asking for $6.8 million, following a $5 million proposal from the Twins.