LOS ANGELES (AP) - Five-time All-Star Nomar Garciaparra is joining the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Garciaparra also considered the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros before agreeing Sunday to a $6 million, one-year contract that allows him to earn an additional $4 million in performance bonuses.
He spent several hours with Dodgers executives Thursday and Friday - the first day with agent Arn Tellem, the second with his wife, former soccer star Mia Hamm. Garciaparra and Hamm live in suburban Manhattan Beach.
The 32-year-old Garciaparra was considered one of baseball's best shortstops for several years while playing for the Boston Red Sox. He won the AL Rookie of the Year award in 1997, and won batting titles in 1999 and 2000. But his playing time was limited during the past two seasons because of injuries.
He hit .283 with nine homers and 30 RBIs in 62 games for the Chicago Cubs last season, when he earned $8.25 million. He tore his left groin running out of the batter's box in St. Louis on April 20 and didn't return until Aug. 5.
His deal calls for a $500,000 bonus if he has 400 plate appearances and $500,000 for each additional 25 plate appearances through 575.
Garciaparra most likely will play first base or the outfield for the Dodgers. He played mostly third base after returning to the Cubs last August. New Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said Garciaparra seemed open to changing positions during his meetings late last week.
Colletti has had a busy December, hiring manager Grady Little and adding three free agents - shortstop Rafael Furcal, third baseman Bill Mueller and Garciaparra. Mueller also won a batting title while playing for the Red Sox, in 2003.
The Dodgers also appear close to an agreement with free-agent outfielder Kenny Lofton.
Garciaparra played under Little in 2002-03 with the Red Sox, and was teammates with pitcher Derek Lowe and Mueller in Boston. Lowe signed a four-year contract with the Dodgers last winter.
Garciaparra played his entire career for the Red Sox until being traded to the Cubs in July 2004.
Colletti also has made it clear he's interested in acquiring outfield help, a left-handed reliever and a starter.
The Dodgers went 71-91 last year, their second-poorest record since moving from Brooklyn before the 1958 season. The team parted ways with manager Jim Tracy on Oct. 3 - the day after last season ended - and fired general manager Paul DePodesta on Oct. 29.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
