Giles signs for $2.35 million

Giles signs for $2.35 million

Marcus Giles and the Braves agreed to a one-year, $2.35 million contract, a 446-percent raise for the second baseman who was eligible for salary arbitration for the first time. Reliever Kevin Gryboski is the only unsigned arbitration-eligible Brave. Giles, 26, hit .311 with eight home runs, 17 stolen bases and 48 RBIs in 102 games, missing two months at midseason after breaking his collarbone in a collision with center fielder Andruw Jones. He made $430,000, a bargain after his breakout year in 2003.

Giles was a first-time lineup regular in 2003 when he batted .316 with a club-record 49 doubles, 21 homers and 69 RBIs. He made the All-Star team that year, but couldn't play in the game because of a concussion from a collision with Cubs pitcher Mark Prior.

Good news. Giles is a high caliber player and this is a very reasonable price in today's market.