Giants Make Bonds Highest-Paid Player

Barry Bonds agreed Thursday to a $22.9 million, two-year contract extension with the San Francisco Giants, a deal that gives him baseball’s highest average salary at $11.45 million.

The 32-year-old outfielder is due $8.25 million this season and $8.5 million next year under a $43.75 million, six-year deal signed as a free agent in December 1992. The extension calls for $9.7 million in 1999 and $10.7 million in 2000.

San Francisco has a $10.3 million option for 2001 and must pay a $2.5 million buyout if it doesn’t exercise the option.

Danny Tartabull finally changed his mind and agreed to a $2.3 million, one-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

After leading the New York Yankees to their first World Series title in 18 years, manager Joe Torre was rewarded with a $2 million, two-year contract extension through 1999.

The average salary for players in arbitration soared a record 154 percent - more than twice last year’s rise - according to a study by The Associated Press.