Toronto Sun

Sunday, February 20, 2000 Jays ink closer Billy Koch DUNEDIN, Fla. (CP) -- The Toronto Blue Jays signed closer Billy Koch to a three-year deal worth $3.5 million Sunday and agreed to one-year contract with outfielder Jose Cruz Jr. Koch gets a $250,000 signing bonus and a $250,000 salary for the 2000 season. He'll earn $650,000 in 2001 and $2.35 million in 2002. "You can do a lot with that amount of money," said a happy Koch. The 25-year-old set an American League rookie record for saves in 1999 with 31. The 6-3, 205-pound native of Rockville Center, N.Y., made 56 appearances last season and went 0-5 with a 3.39 earned-run average. "It feels great," Koch said of his deal. "It's going to give me the security as to knowing where I'm going to be and to be financially set for the next three years and maybe for the rest of my life." The Jays have signed many of their top young players -- including Chris Carpenter, Homer Bush and Shannon Stewart -- to long-term contracts. That figured into Koch's decision. "I'm happy because I like the team, the people I'm surrounded with, including the coaching staff, front office, just everybody. We've just got to grow in the next three years." Cruz signed for $395,000. The 24-year-old hit .241 with 14 home runs and 45 RBIs in 106 games with the Jays last season. While playing for Puerto Rico, he was named MVP of the recent Caribbean World Series.