Brewers, Berry Agree To Terms

Sean Berry, an infielder who batted .314 for Houston last season, is guaranteed $3.6 million under his two-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Berry gets a $700,000 signing bonus, $700,000 next season and $2 million in 2000. The Brewers have a $2.3 million option for 2001 with a $200,000 buyout.

"Sean will help us to fill our need for a right-handed bat in our lineup," general manager Sal Bando said after the deal was announced Tuesday. "He also has the experience of being with a winner and being a part of postseason play which is where we strive to be."

Berry, 32, had 13 homers and 52 RBIs for the Astros this year, when he appeared in 102 games and split time at third base with former-Brewer Bill Spiers.

Berry, who played for Kansas City and Montreal before going to Houston in 1996, has a .281 career average.

The option would become guaranteed at $3.1 million if he has 500 plate appearances in 2000 and the 2001 automatically would increase if he has additional plate appearances.

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