KISSIMMEE, FLA. ? Greg Maddux agreed Monday to the largest one-year contract in baseball history, a $14.75 million deal with Atlanta that avoided a salary arbitration hearing later this week.

The four-time Cy Young Award winner became a free agent after last season, then accepted the Braves’ offer of arbitration in December. He had asked for $16 million, the highest amount ever submitted in arbitration, and the Braves had offered $13.5 million.

A hearing had been scheduled for Thursday. The previous record for a one-year contract was pitcher David Cone’s $12 million deal with the New York Yankees in 2000.

“We’re delighted this issue is resolved and that we can now focus on his stature as a pitcher and his production for our team,” Braves general manager John Schuerholz said.

Maddux, 37 in April, went 16-6 with a 2.62 ERA last season. He tied Cy Young as the only pitchers in baseball history to win at least 15 games in 15 consecutive seasons.

In 2002, Maddux made $13.1 million in the final season of a $57.5 million, five-year contract.

If Maddux’s case had gone to a hearing, win or lose he would have broken the arbitration record, set by outfielder Andruw Jones when he beat the Braves two years ago.

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Williams’ son signs: Ted Williams’ son is going to give it another try. John Henry Williams, son of the late Hall of Famer, signed Monday with the Schaumburg of the independent Northern League. Williams, 33, played briefly for Boston’s lowest-level minor-league team last summer. His stint with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League team lasted two games. The first baseman-designated hitter broke a rib chasing down a foul ball.

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Nen returns to mound: San Francisco closer Robb Nen threw off a mound Monday for the first time since having offseason shoulder surgery. Nen, who had 43 saves last season, played long toss and threw 23 pitches off a bullpen mound. Nen had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder in early November and hopes to be ready opening day.

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Reliever Garces retires: Pitcher Rich Garces retired after failing to join Colorado for the start of spring training. Garces, 31, spent the last seven seasons with Boston. Garces, who signed a minor-league contract with the Rockies on Jan. 24, was a nonroster invitee to Colorado’s major-league camp. He was 23-10 with a 3.74 ERA in 10 seasons.

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Marlins ace not in camp: Florida opened spring training Monday without ace A.J. Burnett, who will miss the first couple of workouts while his salary arbitration case is resolved. The hearing will be today in Tampa, Fla.

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Reed misses Twins’ workout: Starter Rick Reed and non-roster invitee Jose Cabrera were missing Monday from Minnesota’s first official workout for pitchers and catchers. Reed went home to Ohio to be with a sick child, and Cabrera is having trouble getting the visa he needs to leave the Dominican Republic.

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Jeter clears air: Derek Jeter is not a party animal. Just two hours after officially reporting for spring training, the New York Yankees’ shortstop planted himself in the dugout at Legends Field and said he wanted to put owner George Steinbrenner’s comments behind him.

The five-time All-Star said he was irritated not at Steinbrenner for questioning his focus in public, but with the New York Daily News for running a “PARTY ON” headline that portrayed him as a king of the night.

For 30 minutes, Jeter defended his professionalism, sounding as if the events of the last few weeks had wounded his pride.