Cubs avoid arbitration with Hollandsworth

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs agreed to a $900,000 one-year deal with outfielder Todd Hollandsworth on Monday, avoiding arbitration.

"I fell in love with the city, the team and the organization," Hollandsworth said. "You have this dying passion to help this team get over the top and help them get back to the World Series."

The former NL rookie of the year did his part last year, his first in Chicago, until an injury ended his season on June 27. He hit .318 with eight homers and 22 RBI in 57 games.

He started 26 games in right field when Sammy Sosa was hurt. He also was the Cubs' best pinch-hitter, batting .563 off the bench with two homers and four RBI.

"We're thrilled to have him back," general manager Jim Hendry said. "We liked everything about him. Not only how he played and performed, but the way he played the game."

Hollandsworth's season ended three months early after he fouled a pitch off his right shin, leaving him with a deep bruise and a stress fracture.

The injury is completely healed, Hollandsworth said. He's been given medical clearance to play, and is back running and cross-training.

Hollandsworth can play all three outfield spots as well as first base, which could get him more playing time in 2005. Though Corey Patterson is set in center field, the Cubs have an opening in left after letting Moises Alou go to the San Francisco Giants as a free agent.

Chicago's other outfielders are David Kelton and Jason Dubois, but both are young and inexperienced.

"He knows if he's healthy and playing like he did, he won't have any trouble getting playing time," Hendry said. "No matter what happens, he's going to be a valuable part of this team."

Hollandsworth is guaranteed $900,000 under terms of his contract, but it could rise to $1.2 million based on how much time he spends on the active roster. He could earn up to $1.7 million with incentives.

Hollandsworth is a career .279 hitter with 85 homers and 330 RBI in 10 seasons with Chicago, Florida, Texas, Colorado and Los Angeles. He was the NL rookie of the year in 1996, when he hit .291 with a career-high 12 homers 26 doubles and 59 RBI for the Dodgers. He won the World Series with the Marlins in 2003.