Mariners, Charlton Agree To Three-Year Contract

The Seattle Mariners agreed to a contract with pitcher Norm Charlton that could be worth up to $8,225,000 over three seasons.

Charlton is guaranteed $2.2 million under the one-year contract, which contains two option years. His 1996 salary is $2,075,000, nearly a fourfold raise from his $525,000 salary last year.

Seattle has a 1997 option at $2,925,000, but must pay a $125,000 buyout if it doesn’t exercise it. The salary would become guaranteed if he pitches in 55 games in 1996 or finishes 45.

The Mariners have a 1998 option at $3,225,000, again with a $125,000 buyout.

Charlton was 2-1 with a 1.51 ERA last season, saving 14 games.

Six other players agreed to contracts Friday, leaving 32 still in arbitration. The six are:

Kansas City Royals right-hander Kevin Appier, Montreal Expos outfielder Moises Alou, Chicago Cubs catcher Scott Servais, Florida Marilins third baseman Alex Arias, Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Cal Eldred and Atlanta Braves second baseman Mark Lemke. All the deals were for one year except for that of Arias, who signed for two.