PHILLIES ACQUIRE ARRIETA FOR $75M
FLA.» Free-agent CLEARWATER, ace Jake Arrieta and the Phillies agreed to a three-year contract Sunday.
The deal reportedly is worth $75 million.
The 32-year-old pitcher was among several top-tier free agents who couldn’t get a new deal for six or seven years in a changing market. The Phillies have plenty of money to spend and waited until the price was right for them.
Arrieta won the 2015 National League Cy Young Award with the Cubs and helped them win the World Series the next season. He was 14-10 with a 3.53 ERA in 30 starts last year.
Arrieta was 68-31 with a 2.73 ERA in five seasons in Chicago. He will join Aaron Nola atop the Phillies’ rotation on a team that finished last in the NL East last year.
The Phillies haven’t had a winning season since 2011 but added veteran slugger Carlos Santana, Arrieta and quality relievers to a young nucleus that finished 66-96 in 2017.
Liriano in Tigers’ rotation.
Left-hander Francisco Liriano will be in the Tigers’ starting rotation to begin this season, according to manager Ron Gardenhire.
Liriano signed a one-year contract with the Tigers last month and pitched three scoreless innings Sunday against the Braves, striking out four and walking two.
DeSclafani injured again.
Anthony DeSclafani has a strained left oblique, marking the third straight year the Reds starter has been hurt during spring training.
Manager Bryan Price said DeSclafani felt discomfort during his last spring appearance, and an exam found the problem. It’s unclear how long he will be sidelined.
Braun not comfortable at 1B.
» Ryan Braun is willing PHOENIX to play first base if that helps the Brewers strengthen their lineup.
That doesn’t mean he thinks it will be an easy transition after playing the outfield for the past decade. Saturday, Braun expressed some serious reservations about the move.
“It’s enjoyable,” Braun said, “taking groundballs for the first time in a long time. But it’s also stressful. I’ve never done it at all. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.”
Footnote.
The Twins released veteran right-hander Anibal Sanchez to create a roster spot for Lance Lynn.