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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Figgins to join M’s

3rd baseman agrees to deal with Seattle

Kirby Arnold

SEATTLE – Chone Figgins is moving up the coast in the A.L. West. And Seattle has a dynamic replacement for Adrian Beltre at third base – even before Beltre is officially gone.

The Mariners and Figgins have reached a preliminary agreement on a $36 million, four-year contract pending a physical, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press on Friday night.

The contract for the former Los Angeles Angels sparkplug includes a vesting option for 2014 that could make the deal worth $45 million over a period of five years.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Mariners had yet to announce the deal.

“Nothing to comment on,” Mariners spokesman Tim Hevly wrote in an e-mail to the AP on Friday night.

The 31-year-old Figgins is coming off one of his best seasons, leading the American League with 101 walks and posting a career-high on-base percentage of .395.

The All-Star speedster batted .298 with five homers and 54 RBIs as Los Angeles won its third consecutive division title.

He is a career .291 hitter who has averaged 48 stolen bases during his eight seasons in the major leagues, all with the Angels.

Beltre has until Monday to accept Seattle’s offer of salary arbitration, but it’s unlikely he’ll do it.

He wants to test the free-agent market.

If Beltre declines the offer and signs with another team, Seattle will receive a compensatory pick in next June’s draft.