01:00 AM EST on Thursday, March 30, 2006

Popular center fielder Grady Sizemore signed a $23.45-million, six-year contract yesterday with the Cleveland Indians, the most guaranteed money in a deal for a player with less than two years of major league service.

The agreement includes an $8.5 million club option for 2012 with a $500,000 buyout. If the option is exercised, the deal would total $31.45 million over seven seasons, and the option price could increase to $10.5 million depending on whether Sizemore is an All-Star, Gold Glove or Silver Slugger or does well in MVP voting.

If traded, the option becomes Sizemore's decision and the buyout is forfeited if he declines the option.

Previously, the largest deal for a player with less than two years in the majors was the $23.25-million, five-year contract Boston gave to shortstop Nomar Garciaparra in March 1998.

Sizemore has played only one full season in the majors, but the 23-year-old outfielder batted .289 with 22 homers and 81 RBI in 158 games last season. He also scored 111 runs, had 22 steals and became the second Indians player to record 20 doubles, 10 triples, 20 homers and 20 steals in the same season. He was the only player in the majors to reach those numbers last season.

ROUNDUP

MARLINS CUT HARRIS: Lenny Harris, the career leader in pinch hits, was released from the Florida Marlins yesterday after being told he would not make the team. Reliever Kerry Ligtenberg also was released.

KENT, DODGERS AGREE: Second baseman Jeff Kent and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed yesterday to an $11.5-million, one-year contract extension through 2007. The 38-year-old Kent, who gets $9.4 million this year under his previous contract, receives a $2-million signing bonus payable in installments and a 2007 salary of $9 million.

APPIER IN MINORS: Kevin Appier, 38, was reassigned to the Seattle Mariners' minor-league camp yesterday, a move that gives him time to get healthy and possibly return to the majors. The former All-Star, a non-roster invitee, hasn't pitched in the major leagues in 23 months because of elbow trouble.

JOHNSON IN FINALE: Randy Johnson allowed three runs and three hits over five innings in a minor-league game yesterday. The New York Yankees' opening-day starter pitched for Class-A Tampa against Clearwater, the Philadelphia Phillies' Class-A club in the Florida State League. It was the left-hander's final exhibition start before Monday's opener at Oakland.

PHILS TRIM RODRIGUEZ: Ricardo Rodriguez's brief stint with the Philadelphia Phillies ended when the right-hander was released yesterday. He had a 4.15 E.R.A. with seven walks in 13 innings this spring.

CRUZ CUT: Infielder Devi Cruz was released yesterday by the St. Louis Cardinals. Signed to an $850,000 non-guaranteed contract in December, Cruz hit just .146 in 41 at-bats with one home run and two RBI in spring training. He will receive $209,016 in termination pay.

EATON AILING: Adam Eaton left his final spring training start for the Texas Rangers in the second inning yesterday, feeling pain in his right middle finger, the same finger that sent him to the disabled list in San Diego last season. "Judging by how it was last year, I'd say I'm going to miss more than a few starts," Eaton said.