Pitcher Billy Koch has agreed a two-year deal with the Chicago White Sox worth $10.6m.

Last season Koch became the first pitcher in history to post 40 saves and 10 wins in the same campaign.

The right-hander joined Chicago last month as part of a six-player trade with American League West title holders Oakland Athletics.

He agrees the deal, worth up to $6.5m in the second year, after filing for arbitration.

"Part of the appeal of doing the deal was the fact that we would be able to keep him around beyond 2003," said White Sox assistant general manager Rick Hahn.

The 27-year-old has a career record of 22-17 with 144 saves and a 3.48 ERA in 277 games.

Relief pitcher Kelvim Escobar has avoided arbitration with Toronto by agreeing a one-year deal worth $3.9m.

The Venezuelan was 5-7 with 38 saves and a 4.27 earned-run average last season.

The right-hander appeared in a career-high 76 games in 2002 and recorded 85 strikeouts with 44 walks in 78 innings.

Escobar, 26, has a career record of 45-46 with 54 saves and a 4.66 ERA in 260 games, including 75 starts.