 CC Sabathia made his name with the Cleveland Indians
|
CC Sabathia has agreed to join the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball's biggest ever deal for a pitcher.
Although some details have yet to be finalised, his seven-year contract is reported to be worth $161m (£107.8m).
Sabathia, 28, who played for Milwaukee last season, can opt out after three seasons and become a free agent again.
The starter will give the Yankees, who have underachieved in recent seasons, a new marquee star as they head into the new $1.3bn Yankee Stadium next year.
Sabathia's deal top the previous mark for a pitcher, a $137.5m, six-year contract agreed to by Johan Santana and the New York Mets last winter.
His $23m average annual salary is just ahead of Santana's $22.9m.
Among all players, it will trail only Alex Rodriguez's $275m, 10-year contract with the Yankees, Rodriguez's earlier $252m, 10-year agreement with Texas, and Derek Jeter's $189m, 10-year contract with the Yankees.
Venezuelan relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez has joined the New York Mets on a $37m three-year contract.
Rodriguez saved 62 games for the LA Angels this year, five more than the previous MLB mark set by Bobby Thigpen of the Chicago White Sox in 1990.
 Rodriguez made his MLB debut with Anaheim in September 2002
|
Mets GM Omar Minaya said: "One of our primary goals was to secure a top of the line closer to anchor our bullpen.
"By acquiring Frankie Rodriguez, we feel confident that we have one of the best closers in the majors."
The Mets' regular closer, All-Star Billy Wagner, is expected to miss all of next season following elbow ligament replacement surgery.
Rodriguez, 26, a three-time All-Star nicknamesd K-Rod, was regarded as the premier closer on the market.
"Mets fans are very passionate and playing in a new ballpark is going to be great," he said. "I'm going to do everything I can to help bring a championship to Citi Field."
No comments:
Post a Comment