CINCINNATI -- After enjoying his best major-league season, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Jimmy Haynes was rewarded Friday with a one-year contract for the 2003 season, with a player option for 2004.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed as the Reds signed one of their five free-agent pitchers available for salary arbitration by Saturday's midnight ET deadline.

Major League free agents denied arbitration cannot sign with their previous team until May 1. Jose Rijo, Brian Moehler, Joey Hamilton and Shawn Estes are awaiting their fate with the Reds.

Haynes went 15-10 with a 4.12 ERA in 34 starts last year for the Reds. He led the staff in starts, victories, innings pitched (196 2/3) and strikeouts (126) and established career highs in wins and starts.

"We're glad Jimmy has decided to return to Cincinnati," general manager Jim Bowden said in a release. "He had a great working relationship with pitching coach Don Gullett that produced obvious results on the field. We're looking forward to Jimmy being one of the solid starters on our pitching staff."

A non-roster invitee to spring training, the 30-year-old right-hander went 10-6 before the All-Star break to become the first Reds pitching with 10 wins in the first half of the season since Jack Armstrong in 1990. He went 12-5 with a 3.74 ERA in his last 25 starts of the season.

In his major league career, Haynes is 61-74 with a 5.24 ERA with Baltimore, Oakland, Milwaukee and Cincinnati.