Peoria, AZ (My Sportsbook) - The San Diego Padres have signed pitcher Brian Lawrence to a contract that is guaranteed to pay him $8.1 million through 2006. The deal includes a $5.7 million club option for the 2007 season. Lawrence, who is scheduled to start for San Diego on Opening Day against the Giants, went 12-12 with a 3.69 ERA last season for the Padres in 35 games (31 starts). In 2001, his first season in the big leagues, the righthander went 5-5 with a 3.45 ERA in 27 games (15 starts). "He's a young pitcher who has a chance to be one of the premier pitchers in the league someday," said Kevin Towers, the team's general manager. "He's got a great arm so we think that he's going to remain healthy over the length of the contract." |
