Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Ryan Church Signs One-Year Deal with Mets


CHURCH INKS $2.8 MIL PACT


Ryan Church, Lompoc High class of 1996, avoided salary arbitration Tuesday by agreeing to a $2.8 million one-year contract with the New York Mets.


Church, the Mets' starting right fielder most of the season, interrupted only by injury, earned $2 million in his first year in New York after coming over from the Washington Nationals in a trade. Church suffered a concussion in spring training and another in late May forcing him to miss 72 games. Before his injury he was among the major league leaders in doubles.


The 30-year-old Church batted .276 with 12 home runs and 49 RBI in 90 games. In 2009 he can earn an extra $150,000 in performance bonuses for remaining healthy. They pay off after 400, 450, 535 and 550 plate appearances.

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