Hammonds Signs 3-Year Contract With Brewers

Jeffrey Hammonds, whose .335 average was the fourth-highest in the National League last season, agreed to a $21.75 million, three-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.

“Jeffrey adds a new dimension to our ballclub,” Brewers general manager Dean Taylor said. “He will become a key part of our offense as well as improve our defense.”

Hammonds, 29, hit 20 home runs this year for the Colorado Rockies, drove in a career-high 106 runs and set career highs with a .529 slugging percentage and a .395 on-base percentage.

He played all three outfield positions and had a .991 fielding percentage with a career high of eight assists. Taylor sees him in center field.

“At this point, Marquis Grissom would become the fourth outfielder on the ballclub,” the general manager said.

Pedro wants extension

After seeing how millions of dollars have been showered on Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez, Pedro Martinez thinks it’s time for the Red Sox to talk about his deal.

“It’s advantageous to try to sign an extension with me now, because if they wait until I’m close to being a free agent, then offers could come from other teams - offers that maybe I couldn’t refuse,” Martinez said this week on Dominican television.

Martinez set a record for the highest average salary in November 1997 when he agreed on a $75 million, six-year contract with Boston. His $12.5 million average is now tied for 16th in the major leagues.

Martinez is eligible to become a free agent after the 2003 season.

Cards sign McCracken

The St. Louis Cardinals added outfield depth, agreeing to a one-year contract with free agent Quinton McCracken.

McCracken, 30, had spent the last three years with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He appeared in only 15 games last season, continuing a comeback from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee sustained in May 1999.

Davis forgoes retirement

Outfielder Eric Davis and the San Francisco Giants agreed to a $1.5 million, one-year contract.

The Giants will use the 38-year-old Davis to help fill the hole created in their outfield by Ellis Burks, who left the Giants in November to sign a $20 million, three-year contract with Cleveland.

Davis considered retirement during the season and again this fall, but the offer of significant playing time with the N.L. West champions apparently changed his mind.

Cone mulls options

The Kansas City Royals are interested in David Cone as their closer, the Texas Rangers as a starter.

Cone, who has a 184-116 career record, isn’t sure which team he wants to play for and could consider others.

“He primarily has been interested in starting and coming back,” agent Steve Fehr said. “He’s interested in helping a contender, getting to 200 wins, etc.”

Birds trade Minor to Expos

Ryan Minor, once considered to be the heir apparent to Cal Ripken in Baltimore, was traded by the Orioles to Montreal for minor league pitcher Jorge Julio.

Minor batted .131 in 32 games this year.

Aged ex-major leaguer dies

Louis A. “Crip” Polli, 99, died Tuesday in the Woodridge Nursing Home in Berlin, Vt.

Polli, among the nation’s oldest surviving ex-major leaguers, signed his first pro contract with the New York Yankees in 1927. He played for several years in the Yankees’ minor league system, then pitched briefly for the St. Louis Browns in 1932 and the New York Giants in 1944, compiling an 0-2 record in 24 games.