D-Backs add '02 World Series MVP Glaus with four-year deal

PHOENIX -- The Arizona Diamondbacks moved quickly to get a right-handed power hitter with their first free-agent signing in what they promise will be a busy offseason.

All-Star third baseman Troy Glaus agreed Thursday to a four-year, $45 million contract with the Diamondbacks, who hope the 2002 World Series MVP will rebound from a shoulder injury that slowed him the past two seasons.

The deal includes a signing bonus of $4 million and annual salaries of $8 million, $9 million, $10.5 million and $12.5 million. The contract also provides Glaus a hotel suite on road trips and up to $250,000 reimbursement per year for personal business expenses.

Glaus is supposed to fill the void left by Richie Sexson, who almost certainly won't re-sign with Arizona.

"He's a cornerstone player," general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said of Glaus. "What he brings is one of the issues we felt we needed to address. Now we've done that and I'm confident in saying there will be more to come."

Troy Glaus wastes no time in making himself at home in the Arizona clubhouse. (AP)

The three-time All-Star played in only 91 games in 2003 because of the shoulder problems, then appeared in 29 last season before arthroscopic surgery.

Glaus returned in late August, and hit seven of his 18 home runs in the final month of the season to help the Angels to the division title.

The contract has no protective medical clause, but Glaus underwent a medical exam that, he said, was the most thorough he had experienced.

"It's healed. It's fixed," Glaus said at a news conference in the Arizona clubhouse. "Now it's just a matter of time in the throwing program and thing's like that, and I'll be ready for spring without any doubt."

Diamondbacks managing partner Ken Kendrick called the signing "the first day of the new Diamondbacks" and promised more moves in the future for a team coming off one of the worst seasons in baseball history.

"We have told you over the last couple of months repeatedly that our intent is not to rebuild but to reload," Kendrick said. "We are reloading. We told you that our intent is to be competitive, and we're going to be. Troy is going to be a cornerstone player for us."

Several teams courted Glaus, including Detroit and Seattle. Glaus said he was convinced by Diamondbacks officials that they are serious about an immediate turnaround.