White Agrees to Deal With Braves

ATLANTA (AP) _ The Atlanta Braves agreed to $600,000, one-year contract with Gabe White on Friday, adding another left-hander to their bullpen. <br/><br/>White, who split the 2004 season between the New

Friday, January 7th 2005, 6:56 pm

By: News On 6

ATLANTA (AP) _ The Atlanta Braves agreed to $600,000, one-year contract with Gabe White on Friday, adding another left-hander to their bullpen.

White, who split the 2004 season between the New York Yankees and Cincinnati, took a significant pay cut from his previous salary of $1,925,000. The Reds declined to renew White's option at the same price for 2005, opting for a $200,000 buyout.

The big pay cut wasn't surprising. White struggled in 2004, going 0-1 with an 8.27 ERA for the Yankees. After being traded to the Reds in June, he went 1-2 with a 6.23 ERA in 40 games, leaving him with an overall ERA of 6.94.

The Braves, who have a track record of turning pitchers around, hope White can regain the form he showed in 2002 (6-1, 2.98) and 2003 (5-1, 4.05).

White gives the Braves a second left-hander in the bullpen. Tom Martin, who was acquired just before the trade deadline last season, went 0-2 with a 3.97 ERA.

Dan Kolb, acquired recently from Milwaukee, will take over as the Braves' closer. He replaces John Smoltz, who is moving back to the starting rotation.

Along with White and Martin, the Braves also have right-handers Chris Reitsma, Kevin Gryboski and Roman Colon to compete for setup roles.