Mariners reach contract terms with Bedard

Published 12:49 pm Tuesday, January 20, 2009

SEATTLE — Pitcher Erik Bedard and the Seattle Mariners agreed Tuesday to a $7.75 million, one-year contract that gave him a raise of $750,000 and avoided salary arbitration.

The signing leaves Seattle with only one unsigned, arbitration-eligible player: right-handed pitcher Aaron Heilman.

“Erik’s a very important pitcher for our club in 2009,” Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said. “All our reports this winter are that his rehabilitation is going very well. We are excited to see a healthy pitcher take the hill this season.”

Bedard can make $600,000 in performance bonuses: $75,000 for 150 innings pitched, $100,000 for 165 innings, $150,000 for 180 innings, $125,000 for 195 innings and $150,000 for 205 innings.

Bedard, who turns 30 on March 5, was 6-4, with a 3.67 earned-run average in 15 starts in 2008. His season ended in July because of stiffness in his left shoulder.