Brewers sign ex-jays reliever Phelps for one year
The Milwaukee Brewers are signing free-agent reliever David Phelps to a one-year contract with a club option for 2021, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.
The deal is pending a physical for the 33-year-old right-hander.
According to MLB Network, Phelps will earn US$1.25 million in 2020 with up to US$1.9 million in performance bonuses based on appearances. The 2021 club option is worth US$4.5 million with a US$250,000 buyout and also includes up to US$1.9 million in performance incentives.
Phelps split the 2019 season between the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs, compiling a 2-1 record with one save and a 3.41 ERA in 41 appearances. He struck out 36 batters and walked 17 in 34 1/3 innings.
He has a 32-34 record with six saves, a 3.86 ERA and 556 strikeouts in 269 career games (65 starts) with the New York Yankees (2012-14), Miami Marlins (201517), Seattle Mariners (2017), Blue Jays and Cubs.
Phelps missed the entire 2018 season following Tommy John surgery.
NATIONALS ACQUIRE RHP HARPER FROM TWINS
The Washington Nationals traded right-hander Hunter Mcmahon to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for right-hander Ryne Harper on Wednesday.
Harper, 30, went 4-2 with one save and a 3.81 ERA in his first major-league season in 2019. He struck out 50 batters and issued 10 walks in 61 appearances out of
Minnesota’s bullpen.
He spent nine seasons in the minors, compiling a 29-24 record with 35 saves and a 2.54 ERA in 296 games with affiliates of the Twins, Seattle Mariners and Atlanta Braves.
Mcmahon, 21, went 2-1 with a 0.71 ERA in nine games in 2019 — his first professional season. Washington selected him in the ninth round of the 2019 draft out of Texas State.
CUBS WIN GRIEVANCE WITH 3B BRYANT
Kris Bryant remains under contract with the Chicago Cubs through the 2021 season after losing a grievance over his service time, ESPN reported.
The third baseman was arguing the Cubs abused established Major
League Baseball service time rules by neglecting to allow the top prospect to break spring training on the 25-man roster in 2015.
Instead, because delaying his arrival meant another year under the team’s control, the Cubs called up Bryant two weeks later — April 17, 2015.
Bryant is rumoured to be on the trade block and the decision from MLB arbitrator Mark Irvings could have a strong impact on what the Cubs are able to demand in return.
If the Cubs had called up Bryant from triple-a Iowa one day earlier, he would have been a free agent after this coming season.
At the time, agent Scott Boras was outspoken about the rule and the intentional delay. MLB will reportedly release a ruling this week that describes the Cubs’ manoeuvring as acceptable and by the book.
Bryant was the 2015 National League Rookie of the Year and the 2016 NL MVP and is a three-time all-star. He hit 31 home runs and drove in 77 runs last season with a .282 batting average and .382 onbase percentage.
ESPN described trade talks around Bryant as “ongoing ” as the team reportedly seeks to reduce payroll under first-year manager David Ross.