Post by zpustka on Nov 1, 2007 9:32:42 GMT -5
The Rangers had a special on two-year contract extensions Wednesday. Both hitting instructor Rudy Jaramillo and reliever Joaquin Benoit took advantage of the offers.
Only hours before his contract was to expire, making him a free agent, Jaramillo said he agreed to two-year deal. The club announced a two-year, $6 million deal with Benoit early Wednesday evening.
"We worked it out and I'm happy to be back," Jaramillo said. "We all did the right thing. I'm a Ranger and this is where I want to be. I wanted to work within the framework of what Jon Daniels is trying to do. I don't feel like I should be treated better than anybody else. I want to be a team player."
Jaramillo has been in the same capacity with the Rangers since 1995. But in each of his last two rounds of contract negotiations, Jaramillo received a three-year extension. This time around, with nobody on the coaching staff or in the front office signed past 2009, the Rangers insisted on keeping the deal within those guidelines. The Rangers made an offer several weeks ago, but there had been little movement until Wednesday. Jaramillo's contract was to expire Wednesday evening.
The salary was not disclosed, but the Rangers did confirm that their previous offer included an annual raise from his most recent contract. With a $400,000 annual salary, Jaramillo was the highest-paid hitting coach in the majors. During his 13 years on the staff, the Rangers have had four MVPs, a batting champ and three home run champs.
Only hours before his contract was to expire, making him a free agent, Jaramillo said he agreed to two-year deal. The club announced a two-year, $6 million deal with Benoit early Wednesday evening.
"We worked it out and I'm happy to be back," Jaramillo said. "We all did the right thing. I'm a Ranger and this is where I want to be. I wanted to work within the framework of what Jon Daniels is trying to do. I don't feel like I should be treated better than anybody else. I want to be a team player."
Jaramillo has been in the same capacity with the Rangers since 1995. But in each of his last two rounds of contract negotiations, Jaramillo received a three-year extension. This time around, with nobody on the coaching staff or in the front office signed past 2009, the Rangers insisted on keeping the deal within those guidelines. The Rangers made an offer several weeks ago, but there had been little movement until Wednesday. Jaramillo's contract was to expire Wednesday evening.
The salary was not disclosed, but the Rangers did confirm that their previous offer included an annual raise from his most recent contract. With a $400,000 annual salary, Jaramillo was the highest-paid hitting coach in the majors. During his 13 years on the staff, the Rangers have had four MVPs, a batting champ and three home run champs.
