Mariners sign young Cuban shortstop to four-year contract

Cuban infielder Yuniesky Betancourt agreed Wednesday to a four-year contract with the Seattle Mariners worth $2,826,000, bolstering the team’s depth at shortstop.

The 22-year-old Betancourt fled Cuba on a raft in July 2003. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound shortstop wound up in Mexico, where he has lived since.

“Yuniesky is an athletic, offensive shortstop,” Seattle general manager Bill Bavasi said. “We view him as the equivalent of a first- or second-round draft pick.”

Earlier this month, veteran shortstop Pokey Reese joined the Mariners on a one-year contract that includes a team option for 2006.

Seattle is giving him a $1.31 million signing bonus and salaries of $316,000 this year, $350,000 in 2006, $400,000 in 2007 and $450,000 in 2008. In addition, his 2008 salary could rise by as much as an additional $700,000 if he has 1,000 plate appearances in the previous three years.

If Betancourt accumulates enough service time by the end of the 2007 season to become eligible for salary arbitration. 2008 would be voided.

Right-hander Aaron Looper was designated for assignment to open a roster spot.

Mientkiewicz sent to Mets; ball headed to Boston

Doug Mientkiewicz is bringing his good glove to the New York Mets. The ball is going to Boston, at least for a year.

The Mets acquired the former Gold Glove first baseman from the Red Sox for minor league first baseman Ian Bladergroen.

The 30-year-old Mientkiewicz won the 2001 American League Gold Glove with Minnesota and caught the final out of Boston’s World Series sweep of St. Louis last October, the first Series title for the Red Sox since 1918. He kept the ball, which the Red Sox want back.

Mientkiewicz said Boston asked to have it for one year, he intends to comply and the sides expect to reach an agreement within days. He caught the ball when it was thrown to him by pitcher Keith Foulke in St. Louis on Oct. 27.

Mientkiewicz said he will not receive any money under the deal and “probably” would get the ball back after a year. He emphasized that he’s “doing everything they asked me to do.”

Van Benschoten likely to miss season

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander John Van Benschoten will have shoulder surgery today and is expected to miss the 2005 season.

Van Benschoten, a first-round draft pick in 2001, made his major league debut by going 1-3 with a 6.91 ERA in five starts last season.

Van Benschoten, 24, was diagnosed with a torn posterior labrum, an injury that normally requires 10 months to a year of rehabilitation. He had a torn labrum and rotator cuff in his left shoulder surgically repaired in November, but said those injuries bothered him only when he batted.

The right-hander did not throw off a mound during the team’s recent pitching minicamp in Bradenton, Fla., but felt discomfort after resuming his throwing program at PNC Park. Tests then revealed the tear.