Kent agrees with Astros on $18.2 million, two-year deal

Wednesday December 18, 2002

By MARK BABINECK
Associated Press Writer

HOUSTON (AP) Jeff Kent and the Houston Astros agreed Wednesday to an $18.2 million, two-year contract, a move that forces Gold Glove second baseman Craig Biggio to move to the outfield.

The 34-year-old Kent, who won the NL MVP award two years ago, hit .313 last season with 37 homers and 108 RBIs, helping San Francisco win its first NL pennant since 1989.

``This was not in our plan, was not in our budget and was not on our radar screen,'' Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker said. ``I would dare say, after Nolan Ryan, this is the most significant free-agent acquisition that this franchise has ever acquired.''

Kent, Biggio and Jeff Bagwell combine to give the Astros a formidable middle of the lineup.

``This team has an opportunity to do some great things,'' Kent said.

He injured a wrist during spring training last season and fought with Barry Bonds during a game. Yet Kent had a chance to return to the Giants, who offered salary arbitration. He had until Thursday to accept San Francisco's offer.

``There is no doubt that I will look back fondly on my years in a Giants' uniform,'' Kent said. ``San Francisco is where I blossomed as a ballplayer and achieved many of the goals I set for myself when I was drafted by Toronto in 1989. My family and I have also developed deep community ties in San Francisco, and I know that we all will miss this wonderful city.''

San Francisco had prepared for Kent's departure by signing Ray Durham, who can play second base and the outfield, and Edgardo Alfonzo, who can play second or third.

Kent will play second base with the Astros, Hunsicker said. Biggio, a four-time Gold Glove winner, will shift to the outfield. Biggio began his career as a catcher.

``He's already made one position change that didn't turn out too bad,'' said Hunsicker, who hasn't had a chance to speak with Biggio about the move to the outfield.

The Astros went 84-78 and finished second to the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central last season.

Kent, a three-time All-Star, has a .289 career average with 253 homers and 1,007 RBIs. He hit .269 with three homers and eight RBIs in the postseason, hitting three home runs against Anaheim in the World Series.

He gets a $3 million signing bonus, payable $1 million each on March 1, July 1 next year, and March 1, 2004.

Kent gets a $6 million salary for 2003, of which $2 million is deferred to March 1, 2005, and $3 million to July 1, 2005. He gets an $8.5 million salary for 2004, of which $2 million is deferred to March 1, 2006, and $3.5 million to July 1, 2006.

Houston has a $9 million option for 2005 with a $700,000 buyout.

(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)