(PRECEDE CHICAGO) 
(CONFIRMING SIGNING) 
(ADDING INFORMATION, QUOTE) 

*Pirates sign free agent OF Wil Cordero*
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PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The Pittsburgh Pirates today added to
their glut of outfielders by signing free agent Wil Cordero to a
reported three-year, $9 million contract. 

The Pirates did not disclose financial terms, but ESPN Radio
1000 in Chicago is reporting the deal has a signing bonus of
$500,000 and will pay Cordero $2 million in 2000, $2.5 million
in 2001 and $4 million in 2002. 

Cordero collected a base salary of $500,000 from the Cleveland
Indians last season, when he hit .299 with eight homers and 32
RBI in just 54 games due to wrist injuries. 

"We are excited to have Wil Cordero as part of the Pittsburgh
Pirates family," owner Kevin McClatchy said.  "We feel that Wil
will make a fine addition to our ball club." 

It is the second deal in as many days for the Pirates, who
Monday night traded Brant Brown to the Florida Marlins in a swap
of outfielders. 

The Pirates' outfield also includes Al Martin, Brian Giles and
Chad Hermansen. Martin has asked to be traded in the past and
the excess of outfielders could prompt a deal. 

The Indians last week offered arbitration to Cordero, allowing
the Tribe to receive amateur draft picks as compensation. 

The 28-year-old joined the Indians after seven seasons with the
Chicago White Sox, Boston and Montreal. He was released by
Boston after the 1997 campaign and later pleaded guilty to
charges of assaulting his wife, avoiding jail time as part of an
agreement with Massachusetts authorities. 

An All-Star in 1994 with the Expos and a native of Puerto Rico,
Cordero said he will donate $100,000 to the Roberto Clemente
Foundation, named for the Pirates Hall of Famer. 

A former infielder, Cordero is a career .279 hitter with 79
homers and 368 RBI in 773 major league games. 

st 12-14-99 19:27 et