Marcus Giles skips arbitration, signs one-year deal with Braves

ATLANTA - Second baseman Marcus Giles skipped salary arbitration by agreeing to a $2.35 million, one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves on Thursday.

Giles received a big raise from the $430,000 he made last season. This was the first year he was eligible for arbitration.

The two sides essentially split the difference in their arbitration offers. Giles had asked for $2.7 million, while the Braves countered at $2.05 million.

With the signing of Giles, pitcher Kevin Gryboski is the Braves' only arbitration-eligible player who has yet to settle. The right-handed reliever has requested $975,000, while the Braves are proposing $780,000.

Giles' contract also includes $25,000 bonuses for reaching 550 and 600 plate appearances.

The 26-year-old infielder batted .311 last season, with eight homers, 48 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. He missed 52 games after breaking his right collarbone in a collision with Andruw Jones.

In 2003, Giles was voted to start the All-Star game, though he couldn't play because of a concussion. He had his best season, hitting .316 with 21 homers, 69 RBIs and 14 stolen bases.

It's been a busy week for the Braves. They agreed to one-year contracts with shortstop Rafael Furcal, closer Dan Kolb and reliever Chris Reitsma on Monday, then signed free-agent outfielder Brian Jordan on Wednesday.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)