THE SIDELINES : Pirates Sign Slaught for 3 Years

PITTSBURGH —  cher Don Slaught, who became the third free agent to return to the Pittsburgh Pirates by accepting salary arbitration on Wednesday, today agreed to a three-year contract worth about $3 million.

The Pirates and Slaught, 32, have been near a deal for nearly two weeks, but negotiations over incentive clauses held up a final agreement.

“How long ago was it that only the greatest players earned $1 million?” Slaught said. “I remember asking George Brett, ‘What’s your paycheck like? What do you buy, a condo every two weeks?’ ”

To make room for Slaught on their 40-man roster, the Pirates released Cangelosi.