Cardinals Sign Benes, Gant As New Ownership Era Begins

One day after Anheuser-Busch announced it was selling the franchise for $150 million, the St. Louis Cardinals filled glaring needs for a front line starting pitcher and a power hitter, signing free agents Andy Benes and Ron Gant.

Benes, 28, signed a two-year, $8.1 million deal with a club option for 1998 that, if exercised, would make the pact worth $11.5 million for three years. Terms of Gant’s five-year contract weren’t immediately available.

The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Benes was a combined 11-9 with a 4.76 ERA and 171 strikeouts with San Diego and Seattle last season.

He was traded to the Mariners at the end of July and helped them to the American League Championship Series, going 7-2 in 12 starts.

Benes will join his brother, Alan Benes, 23, who is considered the Cardinals’ best young pitcher. Their other brother, Adam Benes, 22, pitches for the team’s New Jersey Class-A affiliate.

Gant, 30, was the National League’s comeback player of the year last season with Cincinnati, batting .276 with 29 home runs, 88 RBIs and 23 stolen bases in the strike-shortened season.

Free-agent third baseman Dave Hollins agreed to a one-year contract with Minnesota. Hollins became a free agent when Boston did not renew his contract this past week. He began the 1995 season with Philadelphia, batting .229 with seven home runs and 25 RBIs in 65 games.