Mets reach agreement with starting pitcher

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NEW YORK -- Chan Ho Park is joining the expanding list of pitchers trying to earn spots in the New York Mets' rotation.

Park

Park and the Mets agreed Friday to a $600,000, one-year contract, giving the team another option for its starting rotation heading into spring training. In addition to his base salary, Park could earn $2.4 million in performance bonuses based on innings.

"We're happy to add a veteran pitcher like Chan Ho to our staff as we approach spring training," Mets general manager Omar Minaya said.

Park will compete with John Maine, Oliver Perez, Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Aaron Sele for jobs in the Mets rotation behind Tom Glavine and Orlando Hernandez. Pedro Martinez is expected to be sidelined for the first half of the season, and Dave Williams likely will be sidelined until June following surgery last week to repair a herniated disk in his neck.

A 33-year-old right-hander, Park was 7-7 with a 4.81 ERA in 21 starts and three relief appearances last season for the San Diego Padres. He was slowed by intestinal bleeding during the second half and had surgery Aug. 23. He was activated Sept. 22.

An All-Star in 2001 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Park has a 113-87 record in 13 major league seasons

After going 15-11 in 2001, Park agreed to a $65 million, five-year contract with the Texas Rangers. Often injured while with Texas, he was 22-23 in 3½ season with the Rangers, who dealt him to the Padres in July 2005 for Phil Nevin. As part of that deal, Texas agreed to pay the Padres $6.5 million to offset part of his remaining salary.

Park's contract with Texas was negotiated by Scott Boras. He recently switched agents, and his deal with the Mets was worked out by Jeff Borris.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

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