Happ likes new fit with powerful Yankees

Former Jay says he wants Machado to sign

NEWYORK•Nowthathe’s don’t mean to downplay the importance of the playoff game,” Happ said. “J.D. Martinez hit a pitch that not a lot of guys hit.”

Happ, a 36-year-old lefthander, gets $17 million in each of the next two seasons. His deal includes a $17 million option for 2021 that could become guaranteed if he has either 27 or more starts as a pitcher in 2020 or 165 or more innings that year.

He’s projected to be part of a rotation that includes Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka and CC Sabathia. The one newcomer is James Paxton of Ladner, B.C., acquired from Seattle in a Nov. 19 trade.

“He’s going to be exciting,” Happ said. “I think New York’s going to fall in love with him.”

When asked which teammates impressed him in New York, Happ mentioned Sabathia, Brett Gardner and Aaron Judge.

“CC Sabathia was a guy that I always wondered about and everybody raves about, and I saw from the other side kind of the competitiveness he brought,” Happ said. “He was everything and more that people talked him up to be, a star as far as a teammate and a person. So it was awesome to get to know him and he sent me a message right away, which I certainly appreciate.”

Happ and Judge became travel buddies on flights.

“What a great head on that guy’s shoulder,” Happ said. “He’s going to be a superstar for a long time.”

Happ also was impressed by players’ attitudes, “just feeling the vibe of that clubhouse and sort of the veteran leadership that it has, as well as a lot of very talented young players who are playing the game the right way and putting in the work and anxious to get better.”