Marlins Sign Eisenreich

Jim Eisenreich and the Florida Marlins agreed to a $3 million, two-year contract, bolstering the team’s outfield strength for next season. Eisenreich, 37, gets $1.4 million in each of the next two seasons. Florida has a $1.4-million option for 1999 with a $200,000 buyout.

Catcher Joe Girardi has opted to stay with the New York Yankees, agreeing to a $5.5-million, two-year contract. Girardi, 32, hit .294 in his first season with the Yankees with two homers and 45 RBIs and 13 steals.

The San Diego Padres agreed to terms of a $2.5 million, two-year contract with catcher John Flaherty.

Baseball players will vote today on whether to ratify the new labor agreement. Union head Donald Fehr expects the deal to pass.

The average salary in the major leagues increased by just 0.8 percent this year and remained 4.1 percent below its level prior to the 1994-95 strike. The average rose from $1,110,766 to $1,119,981, according to figures released by the Major League Baseball Players Association.