Associated Press
The baseball notebook …
PHILADELPHIA ó Reliever Ryan Madson and the Philadelphia Phillies avoided arbitration by reaching a preliminary agreement Tuesday on a $12 million, three-year contract.
Madson began his pro career out of high school by playing in Kannapolis with the Piedmont Boll Weevils.
Madson was 4-2 with a 3.05 ERA in 76 games in 2008. The right-hander played a key role in a strong bullpen, helping the Phillies win their first World Series championship since 1980. Madson finished the season as the primary setup man for closer Brad Lidge, who was 48-for-48 in save chances, including the postseason.
“Ryan has emerged as a quality setup reliever and big game pitcher,” general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement. “We’re very happy that he will be part of our bullpen for at least another three years.”
Madson is 32-21 with a 3.94 ERA and five saves in 295 career games, including 18 starts. He was 1-0 with a 2.13 ERA in 11 postseason games last year.
ARBITRATION
NEW YORK ó Ryan Howard proposed a salary as prodigious as one of his home runs.
The Philadelphia Phillies first baseman asked for $18 million in arbitration Tuesday, the third-highest figure submitted since the process began in 1974.
Philadelphia offered $14 million to the 2006 NL MVP, who is not eligible for free agency until after the 2011 season. Howard had a major league-leading 48 homers and 146 RBIs last year, helping the Phillies win their first World Series title since 1980. Before the season, he was awarded $10 million in arbitration rather than Philadelphia’s $7 million offer.
– Milwaukee first baseman Prince Fielder had the second-highest request this year at $8 million and was offered $6 million by the Brewers, who renewed his contract last year for $670,000. He had 34 homers and 102 RBIs as Milwaukee reached the playoffs for the first time since 1982, down from 50 homers and 119 RBIs in 2007.
– Colorado third baseman Garrett Atkins was third at $7.95 million. The Rockies offered a raise from $4.44 million to $6.65 million after he had 21 homers and 99 RBIs.
– Forty-two players reached one-year agreements Tuesday just before the exchange.
RANGERS
ARLINGTON, Texas ó Relief pitcher C.J. Wilson agreed Tuesday to a $1.85 million, one-year contract with the Texas Rangers, though the left-hander may no longer be the team’s primary closer.
Wilson was 2-2 with 24 saves in 28 chances last season before he underwent arthroscopic surgery in mid-August to remove bone spurs from his left elbow. He allowed 11 earned runs in six innings his last eight appearances, his ERA rising from 4.34 to 6.02 in that stretch.
RED SOX
BOSTON ó All-Star closer Jonathan Papelbon took a one-year deal to avoid arbitration. He could be in the same position next year.The Boston Red Sox right-hander agreed Tuesday to a contract worth $6.25 million.
ROYALS
KANSAS CITY, Mo. ó Catcher John Buck agreed Tuesday to a $2.9 million, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, and right-hander Joel Peralta accepted a $640,000, one-year deal.
YANKEES
NEW YORK ó Right fielder Xavier Nady agreed Tuesday to a $6.55 million, one-year contract with the New York Yankees, and center fielder Melky Cabrera accepted a $1.4 million, one-year deal shortly after exchanging proposed arbitration figures with the team.
ORIOLES
BALTIMORE ó Outfielder Luke Scott agreed to a $2.4 million, one-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday.
Scott hit .257 with 23 homers and 65 RBIs in 2008, his first season with Baltimore, and he made $430,000.