Staying in the Windy City

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CHICAGO -- Right-hander Matt Garza agreed to a US$9.5-million, one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs on Friday just before the scheduled start of a salary arbitration hearing in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Friday's agreement was $725,000 below the midpoint between the $12.5 million the pitcher had asked for in arbitration last month and $7.95 million the Cubs had offered.

Garza was acquired from Tampa Bay in January 2011 and went 10-10 with a 3.32 ERA in his first season with the Cubs, when he made $5.95 million. He had a team-high 197 strikeouts in 198 innings.

The 28-year-old Garza is 52-54 with a 3.83 ERA in 152 career games over six seasons.

He can earn an additional $150,000 in performance bonuses based on innings: $50,000 for 210 and $100,000 for 220.