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SPORTS Thursday 19 december 2019
Cole on $324M, 9-year deal with Yankees: 'It was my dream'

By RONALD BLUM owner Hal Steinbrenner
AP Baseball Writer said. "Plural."
NEW YORK (AP) — Gerrit Boone said he was "blown
Cole brought along a sign away" by "his passion for
for the news conference to what he does, his ability to
announce his signing with articulate that passion."
the New York Yankees: a New York opened with
crinkled poster board that an eight-year offer and
read "Yankee Fan Today went to a ninth season to
Tomorrow Forever." differentiate the Yankees
Then 11, Cole was caught from other perceived
on camera holding up that suitors, the Los Angeles
placard in the seats at the Dodgers and Angels. It
2001 World Series in Phoenix, appears to be the longest
either before Game 6 or 7. contract for a pitcher since
The lettering of the tape he Wayne Garland's $2.3
used has faded from blue million, 10-year deal with
to tan during years on the Cleveland before the 1977
wall of his room and then season.
in a closet.Cole spurned Cole was 20-5 with an AL-
the Yankees when they leading 2.50 ERA and a
drafted him 28th overall major league-leading 326
in 2008, choosing to enroll strikeouts for Houston last
at UCLA. He signed with New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole, center, holds a sign he used as a young Yankees fan, season.
Pittsburgh three years later as he is introduced as the baseball clubs newest player during a baseball media availability, His wife, Amy, the sister of
after he was selected first Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019 in New York. He is joined by team owner Hal Steinbrenner, left, and his San Francisco shortstop
wife, Amy Cole.
overall. Now as a free Associated Press Brandon Crawford,
agent, he finally was fitted watched the news
for pinstripes, agreeing to Yankees team rules. Among the gifts the operations. conference from the dais.
a record $324 million, nine- "He cleans up nice, doesn't Yankees used to recruit Cole's deal is the largest for New York forfeited its
year contract. he?" Yankees manager Cole were bottles of a pitcher in both its total and second- and fifth-highest
"It was my dream. I had Aaron Boone said. 2004 and 2005 Masseto, its average annual value of draft picks, roughly No. 62
a second opportunity to Cole had been known for a Tuscan wine of Merlot $36 million. New York hopes and No. 164 overall overall.
chase it," he said. a scruffy look. The Yankees' grapes. Cole couldn't Cole will lead a young corp Houston gets an extra
Cole put on a No. 45 jersey, barber went to Cole's hotel figure out how New York that includes Aaron Judge, pick as compensation,
the number that had room Wednesday morning knew it was his favorite until Gary Sánchez and Gleyber approximately No. 74.
belonged to first baseman to apply a shave. he remembered he had Torres to the Yankees' first To clear a roster spot, the
Luke Voit. The 29-year-old "I've experienced razor mentioned it once to Lou title since 2009. Yankees designated right-
right-hander's beard was burn now for the first time," Cucuzza Jr., the Yankees' "We need to win some hander Chance Adams for
newly shorn to comply with he said. director of clubhouse world championships," assignment.q

OF Avisaíl García agrees to $20M

deal with Milwaukee Brewers

By KEITH JENKINS understands it. We cer- 801-900, $1 million for 901-
AP Sports Writer tainly believe he can play 1,050, $1.5 million for 1,051-
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Now over there at a good level, 1,250 and $2 million for
that the Milwaukee Brew- so that will be part of the more than 1,250.
ers have added Avisaíl rotation in 2020 but that García batted .282 with
García to their talented will not be his exclusive a career-high 20 home
outfield, Ryan Braun could position." García gets a runs and 72 RBIs for the
see more time at first base. $500,000 signing bonus Tampa Bay Rays last sea-
García's $20 million, two- and salaries of $7 million son, spending most of his
year contract was final- next year and $10.5 million time in right field. He joins In this Sept. 8, 2019, file photo, Tampa Bay Rays' Avisail Garcia
ized Tuesday, a deal that in 2021. The Brewers have a a crowded Milwaukee reacts after hitting a home run against the Toronto Blue Jays
includes a 2022 club op- $12 million option for 2020 outfield that includes 2018 during the seventh inning of a baseball game, in St. Petersburg,
tion and could be worth with a $2 million buyout, NL MVP Christian Yelich, Fla.
$30 million over three and the option would be- Braun and two-time All- Associated Press
years. come mutual if García has Star Lorenzo Cain.
Braun, who turned 36 last 550 plate appearances in Milwaukee also agreed to .237 with seven homers in The 28-year-old García
month, is Milwaukee's pri- 2021 or 1,050 in 2020 and a one-year deal with cor- 47 games last season with played in 125 games with
mary left fielder. The 2011 '21 combined. If the option ner infielder Ryon Healy the Seattle Mariners. the Rays last season. In
NL MVP played 18 games becomes mutual, García that pays a $1 million sal- Healy can earn $1 million five seasons with the White
at first in 2018 but none this would get a buyout if he ary in the major leagues in performance bonuses Sox, Garcia hit .271 with 74
year. declines it, the amount and $250,000 in the mi- based on plate appear- home runs and 289 RBIs,
"Ryan's going to see some depending on plate ap- nors, with $250,000 guar- ances: $100,000 for 250, including posting career
time at first base," general pearances in 2020 and anteed. He could also be $200,000 for 350, $300,000 highs in batting average
manager David Stearns '21 combined: $500,000 an option at first base. The for 450 and $400,000 for (.330) and RBIs (80) in 2017,
said. "He's open to it. He for 601-800, $750,000 for 27-year-old Healy batted 550. when he was an All-Star.q