Hammonds Joins Brew Crew

Jeffrey Hammonds, whose .335 average was the fourth-highest in the National League last season, agreed Friday to a $21.75 million, three-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.

"Jeffrey adds a new dimension to our ballclub," Brewers general manager Dean Taylor said. "He will become a key part of our offense as well as improve our defense."

Hammonds, 29, hit 20 home runs this year for the Colorado Rockies, drove in a career-high 106 runs and set career highs with a .529 slugging percentage and a .395 on-base percentage.

He played all three outfield positions and had a .991 fielding percentage with a career high of eight assists. Taylor sees him in center field.

"At this point, Marquis Grissom would become the fourth outfielder on the ballclub," the general manager said.

Because Colorado did not offer Hammonds salary arbitration and the signing occured after Dec. 7, the Brewers do not owe the Rockies any amateur draft picks compensation.

Hammonds, who has also played for the Baltimore Orioles and Cincinnati Reds, has a .282 career batting average.

"Jeffrey had a breakthrough season in 2000, but I think that's because he had an opportunity to play," Taylor said. "His numbers were good because he was a solid player, not just from playing in Coors Field" in Denver's thin air.

He gets a $1.5 million signing bonus and salaries of $6 million in 2001, $7 million in 2002 and $7.25 million in 2003. He can earn an additional $750,000 in performance bonuses - $150,000 each for 400, 450, 500, 550 and 600 plate appearances and any bonuses earned also would be added to the base salaries in the remaining years of the contract.

That means if he has 600 plate appearances in each season, he would earn $24 million over three years.

Earlier this week, the Brewers agreed to a $3 million, two-year contract with infielder Tyler Houston.

As part of Hammonds' contract, the outfielder will contribute to Brewers Charities Inc., which serves underprivileged youths.

Hammonds' agent, Jeff Moorad, said he and the player took a wait-and-see approach to see if Colorado would make an arbitration offer.

"When they didn't it took Dean Taylor only a week to make a great offer," Morad said.

Milwaukee Manager Davey Lopes said Hammonds has the ability to bat anywhere from third to sixth in the lineup.

"He can do the most damage in those spots," Lopes said. "He has the ability to hit leadoff, but I doubt we'll go in that direction because of his power. A lot of people might think it was just an aberration last year, but I feel that was just the beginning for him."

Hammonds said he had a great time playing for the Rockies.

"It was a great situation that put the love back in the game for me. But I couldn't control what their decision was" regarding arbitration, he said.

"It's exciting to me to be coming here because of the environment. I'm looking forward to growing with the new stadium in the new millennium. The weather always concerned me when I came to Milwaukee, but with this new stadium and new commitment they've made with Dean Taylor, Davey Lopes and (hitting coach) Rod Carew shows they want to win," he said. "Hopefully I can put down some roots here."

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