Braves Give Perez $1.2 Million Deal

Atlanta Braves backup catcher Eddie Perez, who hit .336 this season, agreed Wednesday to a $1.2 million, two-year contract.

Perez, 30, will get $550,000 in 1999 and $650,000 in 2000, up from $225,000 this year. He was eligible for salary arbitration for the first time.

In addition, he can earn up to $75,000 per season in performance bonuses.

Perez caught 32 of Greg Maddux's 34 starts and also played eight games at first base this year. He had six home runs and 32 RBI in 61 games, and closed the season with 16 hits in 33 at-bats.

Perez has a .265 career average with 17 homers and 71 RBI.

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