Ryan Freel avoided salary arbitration on Monday by agreeing to a $3 million, two-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds that would increase if he plays regularly. The 29-year-old has led the Reds in steals each of the last two years. He hit .271 last season with 36 steals despite stints on the disabled list because of a swollen foot and torn knee cartilage. Freel will get base salaries of $1.3 million next year and $1.7 million in 2007. His base salary in the second year would increase to $2 million if he gets 200 plate appearances in 2006 and would increase to a maximum of $2.65 million if he has 650 plate appearances.