Gardner gets deal

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK -- Outfielder Brett Gardner and the New York Yankees agreed to a US$2.8-million, one-year contract Friday to avoid salary arbitration.

The agreement was at the midpoint between the $3.2 million Gardner had asked for earlier in the week and the $2.4 million the Yankees had offered.

Gardner hit .259 last season with 19 doubles, seven homers, 36 RBIs and 49 steals, which tied Oakland's Coco Crisp for the AL lead.

Two Yankees remain in arbitration: catcher Russell Martin of Chelsea, Que., and left-handed reliever Boone Logan.