Mathews Gets Paid By A's

Reliever T.J. Mathews more than doubled his annual salary Monday, re-signing with the Oakland Athletics for $3.25 million over two years.

Mathews went 9-5 with a 3.81 ERA in 50 games last season, when he made $750,000. The right-hander, obtained by the A's in 1997 as part of the trade that sent Mark McGwire to the St. Louis Cardinals, also had three saves last season.

He will receive a $200,000 signing bonus and salaries of $1.25 million in 2000 and $1.8 million in 2001.

The A's signed free agent left-hander Mike Magnante to a $2 million, two-year contract last Thursday to bolster a bullpen that was inconsistent in 1999.

Magnante and Mathews will be joined in the bullpen by right-handers Jason Isringhausen, who will be given the chance to become the closer, and Doug Jones. A's general manager Billy Beane said last week he may look for another lefty.

Mathews had bone spurs removed from his right elbow last month and is expected to be ready to pitch again by spring training.

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