ANAHEIM, Calif. - Angels slugger Garret Anderson agreed Tuesday to a $48-million, four-year contract extension through 2008. The deal includes a team option for 2009 with a $3-million buyout.
Anderson is a two-time All-Star and was the MVP last year. In 2003, he hit .315 with 29 home runs and 116 RBIs.
The 31-year-old centerfielder is in his 10th full season and is the team's career hits leader.
Anderson, who grew up in the Los Angeles area, was selected by the Angels in the fourth round of the 1990 free-agent draft and has spent his career in the organization.
He had no intention of playing for another club.
"Never once did I think about leaving," Anderson said. "They would have had to nudge me out the door. I just couldn't see myself in another uniform.
"The Angels showed me loyalty in the minor leagues, kept pushing me through the system."
He smiled and added, "And ultimately to win the World Series."
Anderson hit a tiebreaking, three-run double in the third inning of the 4-1 victory over San Francisco in Game 7 in 2002 as Anaheim won its first World Series title.
He obviously was pleased with his contract extension, saying, "Both sides are very satisfied."
Arte Moreno, who bought the team from the Walt Disney Co. in May, wanted to make sure Anderson didn't get away.
"I think it's important to show that we're committed to the long term, committed to retaining core players, key players," Moreno said. "Garret is the type of player, the type of man we want to keep."
Indians won't help build spring site in Winter Haven
WINTER HAVEN - The Indians will not help this central Florida city build a new spring training stadium and the club is exploring a move back to Arizona, a team spokesman.
The Indians informed Winter Haven officials that the team simply didn't have the money to build a new training complex there, spokesman Bob DiBiasio said.
The move comes less than a year after the Indians signed a new contract with Chain of Lakes Park, keeping their spring training site in Winter Haven through 2008. The contact, however, allows the Indians to break the deal at any time.
The Indians may still train in the city about 45 miles east of Tampa next season, but the club is exploring other options for a new spring home, including a return to Arizona where they trained in Tucson from 1947-92, DiBiasio said.
CUBS: They placed second baseman Mark Grudzielanek on the 15-day DL with a partial tear of his right Achilles' tendon. He is expected to be sidelined at least two weeks. To replace Grudzielanek on the roster, infielder Jose Macias was activated from the DL.
EXPOS: Pitcher Livan Hernandez agreed to a $21-million, three-year contract extension, general manager Omar Minaya said.
Hernandez is in the final year of his deal. The extension runs through 2007.
Hernandez had his best season in 2003. He went 15-10 with a 3.20 ERA in 33 starts. He led the team in wins, ERA, innings (2331/3) and complete games (eight). The right-hander is 0-1 with a 3.46 ERA in two starts this season.
RANGERS: First baseman Mark Teixeira was held out of the starting lineup against Oakland because of a sore muscle in his side.
YANKEES: Manager Joe Torre said rookie Bubba Crosby will most likely get his second straight start today in centerfield. Crosby, with Kenny Lofton nursing a strained thigh, made his first Yankee start Sunday against Chicago and became an immediate fan favorite. He has two homers and five RBIs in five at-bats this season.
But Torre expects to have to send Crosby down when Travis Lee, the former Rays player is ready to come back. Lee, out with a strained shoulder, started a minor-league rehab assignment in Tampa on Monday.
