Brewers Sign Valentin

Jose Valentin signed a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers that likely includes a pay cut for the slumping shortstop.

Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed, but Brewers general manager Dean Taylor announced Friday that the club's option on Valentin for the 2000 season had been restructured. Valentin, who turned 30 on Thursday, had an injury-plagued 1999 season and played in just 89 games.

Valentin's offensive numbers have steadily declined since 1996, when he batted .259 with 24 homers and 95 RBIs, all career-highs. He has spent his entire eight-year career with Milwaukee.

Last season he hit .227 and drove in 38 runs. He spent most of the first two months on the disabled list with a torn ligament in his left thumb.

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