Moyer re-signs with Seattle for 2006

Updated: December 7, 2005, 11:26 PM ET
Associated Press

SEATTLE -- Jamie Moyer is staying with the Seattle Mariners, agreeing Wednesday night to a $5.5 million, one-year contract.

The left-hander, who turned 43 last month, went 13-7 with a 4.28 ERA last season, his 10th in Seattle. He threw 200 innings and earned $8 million.

Moyer is 205-152 in his 18-year career, which began in 1986 with the Chicago Cubs. He can earn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses next season -- $200,000 each for 160, 170, 180, 190 and 200 innings.

Moyer has pitched 200 or more innings in each of the last five seasons. He has reached that benchmark in seven of the last eight years.

The re-signing meets Seattle general manager Bill Bavasi's offseason priority to acquire veteran starting pitching. The Mariners have been rumored to be interested in signing free agent Kevin Millwood.

Moyer remains with a staff that, for now, includes 32-year-old Ryan Franklin, 27-year-old Gil Meche, 27-year-old Joel Pineiro and 19-year-old Felix Hernandez.

"We view Jamie as an important part of what we are trying to do here," Bavasi said in a statement released by the team from baseball's winter meetings in Dallas. "He takes the ball every five days, battles and gives us quality innings.

"Some of our younger pitchers can learn a lot by watching how he goes about his business."

Moyer came to Seattle on July 30, 1996, in a trade from Boston for outfielder Darren Bragg. His 139 Mariners wins, 298 starts and 1,933 innings are the most in team history.

Moyer, his wife, Karen, and their six children are also entrenched in the Seattle community. Five years ago, he and Karen started The Moyer Foundation to fund Western Washington organizations that help children in severe distress.

He is also hosts an annual bowling tournament in his name to benefit charities, is a member of the Garth Brooks Touch 'em All Foundation and is also an active supporter of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, among other Seattle-area community outreach organizations.

"Obviously, this is where I wanted to play next season," Moyer said in the team statement. "My family and I are very happy in Seattle and I am looking forward to pitching for the Mariners in 2006."

Next season, he will get a new experience, even for an 18-year veteran: His catcher will be recently signed free agent Kenji Johjima, the first Japanese League catcher to play in the major leagues. Johjima does not speak English.


Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index

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