MLB Wire Notes: Pierzynski to stay for $15 million

CHICAGO — All along, A.J. Pierzynski claimed he found a home in Chicago. He probably won't be moving soon.

The catcher and the Chicago White Sox agreed Monday to a $15 million, three-year contract and avoided salary arbitration.

Pierzynski, who was eligible for free agency in 2006, will earn $4 million next season and $5.5 million in each of the next two seasons.

"At least I know for three years what I'm going to be doing and hopefully where I'll be playing," Pierzynski said. "They could always trade me, but hopefully, we can stay together and we can win. If we win, hopefully, I won't go anywhere. It means a lot that a team has enough respect for what you do to give you three years and make you feel comfortable."

Signed after spending a year in San Francisco, the 28-year-old Pierzynski helped the White Sox win their first World Series since 1917 last season. He committed one error — none over his final 119 games — and batted .257 with a career-high 18 home runs.

Ueberroth asks for reversal

NEW YORK — Peter Ueberroth, U.S. Olympic Committee chairman, called on the Bush administration to reverse its decision to keep Cuba out of next year's World Baseball Classic.

Ueberroth, a former baseball commissioner and head of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, said last week's decision by the Treasury Department to deny Cuba a permit to play in the 16-team event will damage American efforts to host the Olympics in the future. Olympic host countries must guarantee all nations can participate.

"It is important to any future bid city from the United States that this be reversed," Ueberroth said during a telephone interview. "It's disappointing. This will impact IOC members negatively. This may be the only example of a country prohibiting competition on an international scale."

Notes

Of 26 free agents offered salary arbitration by their former teams on Dec. 7, 17 remained unsigned, a group that also included Jacque Jones and former Mariner Rich Aurilia. Players rejecting arbitration can re-sign with their former teams through Jan. 8.

• Infielder Nomar Garciaparra and the Los Angeles Dodgers finalized a $6 million, one-year contract that allows the five-time All-Star to earn up to $4 million more in performance bonuses. The Dodgers reportedly were close to a contract with outfielder Kenny Lofton.

• Boston closed in on a deal with right-hander Rudy Seanez. Tony Graffanino accepted salary arbitration from the Red Sox.

• Octavio Dotel was talking with the New York Yankees, New York Mets and several other teams.

• Colorado and Brian Fuentes agreed to a $5.5 million, two-year contract.

• Cincinnati agreed to a $3 million, two-year deal with infielder Ryan Freel.

• Oakland and left-hander Joe Kennedy agreed to a $2.4 million, one-year contract.

• The Los Angeles Angels traded catcher Josh Paul to Tampa Bay for minor-league infielder Travis Schlichting. Tampa Bay and third baseman Sean Burroughs agreed to a $1.5 million, one-year contract. First baseman Travis Lee accepted salary arbitration from Tampa Bay.

• Milwaukee and third baseman Russell Branyan were close to an $800,000, one-year deal.

• Outfielder Larry Bigbie, acquired by St. Louis from Colorado this month, was nearing a $900,000, one-year contract.

• Kansas City traded outfielder Matt Diaz to Atlanta for minor-league reliever Ricardo F. Rodriguez.

• Mayor Anthony A. Williams asked the District of Columbia Council to delay consideration of a lease agreement for his proposed Nationals stadium on the Anacostia River waterfront.