Mariners Give Sabo A Shot

Chris Sabo, a nine-year veteran who played in 54 games for Cincinnati last season, agreed Wednesday to a minor-league contract with the Seattle Mariners.

Sabo, 35, would get a $150,000, one-year contract if he makes the team and the chance to earn $150,000 in performance bonuses: $1,500 for each game played up to 100.

“He called us and wanted an opportunity to see if he could come in and make this ballclub,” Mariners general manager Woody Woodward said. “There’s no commitments to Sabo other than to give him a shot.”

Sabo will compete this spring with Mike Blowers, 30, who was signed as a free agent last Friday, to be a back-up third baseman and first baseman. Both are right-handed hitters.

Sabo hit .254 (32 for 125) with three home runs and 16 RBIs for the Reds last season before he had knee surgery Sept. 3.

Sabo played for Mariners manager Lou Piniella in Cincinnati. In 911 career games, he has a .268 average with 116 home runs and 426 RBIs.

Site tenant settles

C.C. Filson has become the last property owner to agree to vacate land for the site of a new stadium for the Seattle Mariners.

Resolving four of the seven legal challenges to the project, the outdoor clothing manufacturer agreed to move in exchange for cash and the potential for advertising in the 45,500-seat ballpark south of the Kingdome.

Ken Johnsen, executive director of the Public Facilities District that is building the stadium, said the cash amount would be released only after the deal is approved by the stadium authority’s board on Monday.

Overall, Johnson said it would cost $30 million to buy seven properties and relocate 31 businesses at the stadium site.

Torre gains extension

Joe Torre and George Steinbrenner have agreed orally on a contract extension the Yankees manager was seeking, club sources said. They are expected to announce the deal at the Yankee Fanfest this weekend.

Sources said the deal includes a raise for the ‘97 season, Torre’s final year under his current contract, and a two-year extension worth slightly more than $2 million, with the second year at Steinbrenner’s option.

Support for Twins

The Minnesota Twins’ proposal for a new stadium won the support of the Minneapolis Downtown Council, a Minneapolis group that promotes the city’s downtown.

Earlier this month, Twins owner Carl Pohlad offered the state of Minnesota a 49 percent stake in the team and more than $107.5 million toward the cost of a new retractable-roof stadium, which would likely be built in downtown Minneapolis.

Under his proposal, Pohlad would pay $82.5 million in cash and $25 million in up-front project revenue, including money raised by selling the name of the stadium. Pohlad would be responsible for losses and would split profits with the state 51-49.

Alvarez agrees

Left-hander Wilson Alvarez and the Chicago White Sox avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $4,662,500, a raise of more than $1.8 million.

The figure was the midpoint between the pitcher’s request for $4,775,000 and the team’s offer of $4.55 million. Alvarez went 15-10 with a 4.22 ERA in 35 starts last season.