Indians Commit to $81.1 Million

David Justice, Marquis Grissom and Jim Thome agreed Tuesday to contract extensions with the Cleveland Indians, who committed $81.1 million to lock up a new core of talent into the next century.

Justice and Grissom, outfielders acquired in the trade that sent Kenny Lofton to the Atlanta Braves, signed extensions through 2002. Thome, a 26-year-old first baseman who has spent his whole career in the Indians’ organization, signed through 2001.

“I’ve got to believe that after this, I’ll be done,� said Justice, who was drafted by the Braves and played seven seasons in Atlanta before being traded to Cleveland. “I’ll be ready to retire and go out to pasture.�

Justice, who will make $6 million this year and $6.5 million in 1998, got a $28-million, four-year extension that pays him $7 million a season from 1999-2002 with a $7-million club option for 2003. The Indians will defer $500,000 a year of salary without interest and pay him $200,000 per year from 2004-2013.

Grissom, due to make $4.8 million a year through 1999, agreed to a $25-million, five-year contract that pays him $5 million a year from 1998-2002. Cleveland has a $5-million option for 2003.

Thome, whose $3.6-million option for 1998 was exercised Tuesday, agreed to a $24.5 million, three-year extension with a $3.5-million signing bonus and $7 million a year in salaries.

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Cleveland pitcher Jack McDowell had successful arthroscopic surgery on his pitching elbow and is expected to sit out three to four weeks.