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A22 sports
Thursday 12 december 2019
Cole mine: Gerrit, Yankees strike record $324M, 9-year deal

By RONALD BLUM him to become a free
AP Baseball Writer agent.
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Gerrit — Outfielder Adam Jones
Cole quickly ended Ste- and the Orix Buffaloes of
phen Strasburg's tenure Japan's Pacific League
as baseball's highest-paid agreed to an $8 million,
pitcher. two-year contract.
Cole agreed to a $324 mil- — Minnesota Twins finalized
lion, nine-year contract a $20 million, two-year con-
with the New York Yankees tract with suspended pitch-
on Tuesday night, a person er Michael Pineda and a
familiar with the agreement $4.25 million, one-year deal
told The Associated Press. with catcher Alex Avila.
The person spoke on condi- — Washington retained
tion of anonymity because two more players from its
the agreement had not championship team, final-
been announced. izing a $10 million, two-year
Cole's deal established contract with catcher Yan
marks for pitchers in total Gomes and a $6.25 million,
dollars, topping the $245 one-year contract with
million, seven-year contract infielder Howie Kendrick,
Stephen Strasburg finalized who provided key hits in
a day earlier to remain with In this Oct. 15, 2019, file photo, Houston Astros starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) delivers against the the postseason.
the World Series champion New York Yankees during the first inning of Game 3 of baseball's American League Championship — The Chicago White Sox
Washington Nationals. Series, in New York. acquired outfielder No-
Its $36 million average is Associated Press mar Mazara from Texas for
a record for any player, minor league outfielder
beating the $35.5 million in one win of their second After helping Houston beat deal told the AP. Steele Walker.
in outfielder Mike Trout's World Series title in three the Yankees in a six-game That person also spoke on — Houston manager AJ
$426.5 million, 12-year deal seasons. AL Championship Series, condition of anonymity be- Hinch said he couldn't
with the Los Angeles Angels "Obviously, when you are Cole joins a rotation that in- cause the agreement, first publicly answer questions
that started last season. talking about a player at cludes Luis Severino, Masa- reported by the New York about Major League Base-
Cole gets an even $36 mil- the level of Gerrit Cole, in a hiro Tanaka, James Paxton Post, had not been an- ball's investigation into
lion annually and can opt lot of ways that's a game- and J.A. Happ or Domingo nounced. allegations by former As-
out after the 2024 season. changing type talent," Germán, who may be sus- — San Francisco acquired tros pitcher Mike Fiers that
He also has a full no-trade Yankees manager Aaron pended at the season's infielder Zack Cozart and Houston used electronics
provision. Boone said earlier in the start under baseball's do- infield prospect Will Wilson to steal signs in 2017.
After finalizing the agree- day. mestic violence policy. from the Angels for a play- Before finalizing Cole's
ment for 31-year-old Stras- "This is a guy that's really In other moves on the er to be named or cash, deal, Boras held his usual
burg, agent Scott Boras hungry, really driven." second day of the winter taking on Cozart's salary metaphor-laden winter
predicted he would go Yankees general manag- meetings: of nearly $12.7 million next meetings news conference
even high for Cole, a er Cashman visited Cole — Shortstop Didi Gregorius year. and said this offseason's
29-year-old right-hander. and wife Amy in Califor- is joining manager Joe Gi- — Right-hander Kevin uptick in the free agent
Cole was baseball's most nia last week, bringing rardi in Philadelphia, agree- Gausman agreed to a $9 market was a response to
dominant pitcher for much along Boone, new pitching ing with the Phillies on a $14 million, one-year contract the fourth straight season of
of 2019 and helped the coach Matt Blake and spe- million, one-year contract, with the Giants, eight days decreased major league
Houston Astros come with- cial adviser Andy Pettitte. a person familiar with the after Cincinnati allowed attendance.q

AP source: Gregorius, Phillies

agree to $14M, 1-year deal

Philadelphia, agreeing Girardi replaced Gabe .238 with 16 homers and
with the Phillies on a $14 Kapler as the Phillies' man- 61 RBIs this year, leaving
million, one-year contract, ager following a disap- him with a .264 average,
a person familiar with the pointing season in which 110 homers and 417 RBIs
deal told The Associated Philadelphia faded to in eight major league sea-
Press. fourth place in the NL East. sons.
The person spoke on con- The team went 81-81 de- "Didi has been a great
dition of anonymity Tues- spite signing slugger Bryce player for us. He's a great
day because the agree- Harper to a $330 million, person," current Yankees
ment, first reported by the 13-year contract. manager Aaron Boone
New York Post, had not Gregorius' 2019 debut was said. "Teams are lucky to
In this Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, file photo, New York Yankees been announced. delayed until June 7 after have him because he's a
shortstop Didi Gregorius prepares to take batting practice
before Game 6 of baseball's American League Championship Gregorius spent the last Tommy John surgery on really good player. And
Series against the Houston Astros in Houston. five years with the New Oct. 17, 2018, to repair an I think obviously going
Associated Press York Yankees, the first elbow ligament torn dur- into a winter where he's
By RONALD BLUM agent shortstop Didi Gre- three playing for Girardi as ing Game 2 of the AL Di- healthy, would expect a
AP Baseball Writer gorius is reuniting with Derek Jeter's successor at vision Series at Boston. The really full, productive sea-
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Free- manager Joe Girardi in shortstop. left-handed hitter batted son from him."q