A's, Cuban defector Cespedes agree to $36M deal

Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes and the Oakland Athletics agreed to a four-year, $36-million deal.

Agent Adam Katz confirmed yesterday that the outfielder reached agreement on a deal, with details still to be finalized.

Cespedes will earn $6.5 million this year, $8.5 million in 2013 and $10.5 million in each of the final two seasons. He can become a free agent at the end of the contract.

Cespedes played for Cuba in the 2009 World Baseball Classic and is projected to be ready for the majors. Cespedes said six other teams were interested in signing him: Miami, Baltimore, Detroit, Cleveland and the Chicago Cubs and White Sox.

Ortiz, Bosox reach deal

David Ortiz and the Boston Red Sox avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $14.575 million.

The deal for the slugging designated hitter was midway between the $16.5 million he asked for last month and the $12.65 million submitted by the Red Sox, which matched his 2011 earnings.

Ortiz became a free agent after the season then passed up a chance to go elsewhere when he accepted Boston's arbitration offer on Dec. 7.

"I feel happy since I avoided going to arbitration," he said.

The Red Sox have not gone to an arbitration hearing in 10 years and have no unsigned players eligible for arbitration.

Ortiz hit .309 with 29 homers and 96 RBIs last year.

Garland to Indians

Righthander Jon Garland who has won 132 games in the majors for five teams, agreed to a minor-league contract with the Indians, who have four starting spots filled but want to add depth and experience.

Garland, 32, went 1-5 with a 4.33 ERA in nine starts for the Dodgers last season before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in July.

-- AP