Garcia signs with Mariners

NEW YORK -- Seattle pitcher Freddy Garcia agreed to a $6,875,000, one-year contract Saturday night, about two hours before the deadline for teams to offer 2004 contracts to unsigned players on their rosters.

Garcia, a 27-year-old right-hander, slumped to a 12-14 record with a 4.51 last season after going 18-6 in 2001 and 16-10 in 2002. His salary matches the amount he won in arbitration for 2003.

Thirty-five players weren't offered contracts as of 11:30 p.m. The Dec. 20 deadline has become increasingly important in recent years because teams are squeezing players to agree to contracts by threatening to make them free agents.

Players with more than three years of major league service who are offered contracts are eligible for salary arbitration.