Gagne, Dodgers agree to minor league deal
Canadian reliever to earn $500,000 US in 2010 if he makes 40-man roster
Former National League Cy Young Award winner Eric Gagne has agreed to a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers and would receive a $500,000 US, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster.
Montreal's Gagne won the 2003 NL Cy Young with the Dodgers, when he converted all 55 save chances, and saved 152 games in three seasons through 2004. The right-hander converted a record 84 consecutive save chances during that time, but had operations on his pitching elbow in 2005 and 2006, and back surgery in 2006.
Now 34, he hasn't pitched in the majors since 2008, when he was 4-3 with a 5.44 ERA and 10 saves in 17 chances for Milwaukee. The Brewers released him from a minor league contract last March after doctors found he had a frayed rotator cuff. He signed with the Quebec Capitales of the independent Can-Am League and went 6-6 with a 4.65 ERA in 17 starts.
The Mitchell Report accused Gagne of receiving human growth hormone in 2004. He apologized to Milwaukee teammates for "a distraction that shouldn't be taking place" but didn't directly address the allegation.