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A22 SPORTS
Friday 18 January 2019

In this June 19, 2018, file photo, Colorado Rockies relief pitcher
Adam Ottavino throws against the New York Mets during the
seventh inning of a baseball game in Denver.
Associated Press
AP source: Ottavino,

Yankees agree to

$27M, 3-year contract In this June 2, 2018, file photo, Atlanta United's Josef Martinez celebrates his goal on a penalty
kick against the Philadelphia Union during the first half of an MLS soccer match, in Atlanta.
Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — While the 2017 season. MVP Martinez signs 5-year
shying away from high- Ottavino will join right-hand-
priced free agents Bryce er Dellin Betances and left-
Harper and Manny Mach- hander Zach Britton as the extension with Atlanta United
ado, the New York Yankees primary setup men for clos-
are boosting their bullpen. er Aroldis Chapman, part
Reliever Adam Ottavino of a bullpen that includes ATLANTA (AP) — Major MLS expansion team, scor- dance records over its two
and the Yankees agreed right-handers Chad Green League Soccer MVP Josef ing 19 goals in 20 games season, averaging more
to a $27 million, three-year and Jonathan Holder and Martinez kept insisting he his first season despite miss- than 53,000 per game in
contract, a person famil- left-hander Tommy Kahnle. was happy with Atlanta ing extensive time with a 2018.
iar with the negotiations He is the second free agent United. quadriceps injury sustained "I've said before that I don't
told The Associated Press to leave the Rockies for the He backed it up Wednes- while playing for his nation- want to go anywhere be-
on Thursday. The person Yankees this offseason, day by signing a five-year al team. cause this is my home," he
spoke to the AP on condi- following infielder DJ Le- contract extension with the He took his totals even said.
tion of anonymity because Mahieu. Former Colorado MLS Cup champion, end- higher this past year, dem- "You can expect more
the deal is subject to a suc- shortstop Troy Tulowitzki ing any questions about onstrating an ability to work, more intensity, be-
cessful physical. also signed with New York. whether might be looking score with either foot and cause that's who I am. I
Ottavino is a 33-year-old Ottavino's deal increases for another shot in Europe especially with his head — want to win. I want to do
New Yorker who went the Yankees' projected after a record season. a credit to his fearlessness everything for my team-
to Berkeley Carroll High luxury tax payroll to $222 No terms were released on in front of the goal despite mates and for the city."
School in Brooklyn and million, well over the $206 a deal that runs through his short stature, which is In the MLS Cup title game
Northeastern University. He million threshold for the the 2023 season, but Mar- generously listed as 5-foot- last month, Martinez scored
wore No. 0 with Colorado, 20 percent tax. New York tinez figured to get a hefty 7. the opening goal and as-
a number not likely to be would pay an additional 12 increase over the $1.4 mil- "This means a lot to me be- sisted on the second in a
assigned by the tradition- percent surtax on the por- lion in guaranteed salary cause of the affection that 2-0 victory over the Port-
bound Yankees. He had a tion above $226 million. he received last season. the fans have shown me, land Timbers.
career-high 112 strikeouts New York is among only The 25-year-old Venezu- that the fans show all of the "Josef is an exciting, dy-
in 77 2/3 innings last year three teams currently pro- elan scored 31 goals in players. It's unique," Mar- namic player and has
for the Colorado Rockies, jected to pay tax this year, 2018, easily eclipsing the tinez said in a statement. proven himself to be one
going 6-4 with a 2.43 ERA in along with the Boston Red MLS record. He added four "They recognize the effort of the best in MLS over the
75 relief appearances. The Sox and the Chicago Cubs. more goals in the playoffs, that you give and they past two seasons," team
right-hander reduced his The Yankees' offseason leading Atlanta United to know you did everything president Darren Eales said.
fastball percentage, rely- moves included acquiring a league championship in to win, and I think that's "We're excited to secure
ing primarily on sliders and left-hander James Paxton just its second season. why we love playing here. Josef's long-term future in
sinkers. He walked 36. from the Seattle Mariners, Martinez became the first I have to thank everyone. Atlanta and we look for-
Taken 30th overall by St. adding LeMahieu for $24 player in league history to My teammates, the city, ward to celebrating many
Louis in the 2006 amateur million over two years and capture the MVP award my family and friends, be- more accomplishments to-
draft, Ottavino made his re-signing Britton ($39 million for the regular season, the cause this is a dream I've gether."
big league debut with the for three years), left-hander All-Star Game and the MLS always had." Atlanta United opened
Cardinals in 2010 and was J.A. Happ ($34 million for Cup in the same year. Martinez stressed that he training camp Tuesday, in
claimed by Colorado off two years), left-hander CC Martinez initially came to is comfortable in Atlanta preparation for its first ap-
waivers in April 2012. He Sabathia ($8 million for one Atlanta United on loan from and has no desire to take pearance in the CONCA-
had Tommy John surgery in year) and outfielder Brett Torino in Serie A. After strug- another shot at playing in a CAF Champions League
May 2016 and returned to Gardner ($7.5 million for gling in Italy's top division, top European league. Unit- next month. The MLS sea-
the Rockies for the start of one year).q the striker thrived with the ed has set numerous atten- son begins March 3.q