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SPORTSTuesday 1 December 2015

Zimmermann finalizes $110m, 5-year contract with Tigers

BY NOAH TRISTER including left-hander Dan-
AP SPORTS WRITER
DETROIT (AP) -- Free agent iel Norris. The Tigers were
pitcher Jordan Zimmer-
mann has finalized a $110 encouraged with Ver-
million, five-year contract
with the Detroit Tigers. lander’s pitching down the
Zimmermann gets $18 mil-
lion in each of the next two stretch, and Sanchez’s abil-
seasons, $24 million in 2018
and $25 million in each ity to bounce back from a
of the final two years. As
part of the agreement an- disappointing 2015 should
nounced Monday, he has
a full-no trade provision be crucial.
through 2018, then can be
dealt to 10 teams without Detroit still has Verlander,
his permission during 2019-
20. Miguel Cabrera and Vic-
The 29-year-old right-hand-
er went 13-10 with a 3.66 tor Martinez signed to ex-
ERA last season for Wash-
ington, striking out 164 with pensive contracts. Cabre-
39 walks. The previous year,
he went 14-5 with a 2.66 ra was outstanding when
ERA.
Following four straight AL healthy last season, and
Central titles, the Tigers fin-
ished last this year. Verlander shook off injury
Detroit will forfeit its second-
round pick in June’s ama- problems of his own to post
teur draft and Washington
will gain a compensation a 3.38 ERA.
selection, No. 38 overall.
Zimmermann was the first Even with Zimmermann
free agent to sign among
the 17 with compensation in the fold, the Tigers may
attached.
Seeking their first World Se- have their work cut out for
ries title since 1984, the Ti-
gers slipped last season in them in a division that in-

cludes World Series cham-

pion Kansas City, an im-

proving Minnesota team

and a Cleveland rotation

that has plenty of potential.

Zimmermann leaves Wash-

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila, left, hands a hat to pitcher Jordan Zimmermann during ington after a disappoint-
the news conference in Detroit, Monday, Nov. 30, 2015.
ing season in which the
Associated Press
Nationals finished seven

large part because their early this offseason under Zimmermann is a sign that games behind the NL East
rotation declined after Max Al Avila, who was promot- the Tigers are still willing to
Scherzer signed with Wash- ed to general manager make a big financial com- champion New York Mets.
ington as a free agent. Now when Dave Dombrowski mitment to putting a win-
Zimmermann is heading in was let go shortly after last ning team on the field. With Scherzer, Stephen
the other direction, joining season’s trade deadline. Detroit traded high-priced
a Detroit starting staff that Detroit has also traded for stars David Price and Yoe- Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez
includes Justin Verlander closer Francisco Rodriguez nis Cespedes in the middle
and Anibal Sanchez. and outfielder Cameron of last season, acquiring and youngster Joe Ross,
Detroit has been active Maybin, and the signing of several pitching prospects,
starting pitching could still

be a strength for the Na-

tionals.

As part of the deal, Zimmer-

mann would earn $500,000

for winning the Cy Young

Award, $200,000 for finish-

ing second and $100,000

for third, and he has the

same provisions for the

MLV Award. He would get

$100,000 apiece for be-

coming an All-Star and

winning a Gold Glove. He

would earn $200,000 if he

is World Series MVP and

$150,000 if he is League

Championship Series

MVP.q