Source: Britton, Yankees agree to three-year deal
NEW YORK — Former Orioles closer Zach Britton is staying put in the Bronx.
The Yankees reached a three-year deal with Britton, pending a physical, an industry source confirmed on Saturday night. ESPN reports the contract is worth $39 million total guaranteed and includes a club option for a fourth season.
The move was destined after former Yankees reliever David Robertson moved down the turnpike to sign with the Phillies on Friday, setting the bullpen market back in motion.
Britton was brought over from Baltimore at last years deadline to help fortify the bullpen, and in 25 appearances with the Yankees, he boasted a 2.88 ERA and picked up three saves.
The southpaw appeared to be fully recovered from the torn Achilles tendon that delayed his 2018 season and the forearm and oblique injuries that kep him out most of 2017.
In 2016, Britton led the league in saves (47) and is more than capable of filling in for Aroldis Chapman, whose well-advertised fastball yielded inconsistent results at times last season. Tulowitzki’s position: The Yankees view Troy Tulowitzki as their starting shortstop until Didi Gregorius returns from Tommy John surgery this summer.
Still, general manager Brian Cashman won't rule out trying to sign Manny Machado, one of the top free agents on the market.
And, in his first question-and-answer session of the year, Cashman revealed he has dragged talks to trade Sonny Gray until the Yankees know CC Sabathia will be ready to pitch following surgery to implant a stent in an artery from his heart.
Tulowitzki, a five-time All-Star absent from the major leagues since July 2017, finalized his one-year contract for the major league minimum $555,000 on Friday after passing a physical.
“It doesn't mean we’re going to get vintage Troy Tulowitzki from the Colorado Rockie years when he was there,” Cashman said, “but it's exciting to dream on what he might be capable of when his health is there on a consistent basis because he was quite the player for quite a long time.”
Tulowitzki missed last season because of bone spurs in his right and left heels. Gregorius had right elbow surgery on Oct. 17 and Cashman expects him back in June, July or August. New York will evaluate then what role Tulowitzki could play after Gregorius reclaims the position.
Yankees scout JT Stotts attended a workout by Tulowitzki at Long Beach State, and scout Jay Darnell and director of pro scouting Dan Giese attended a second workout. They forwarded video to others in the front office.
“Scouts that I highly respect were very pleased with what they saw and very excited by the workouts that he put himself through in front of them on multiple occasions,” Cashman said. “He really looked athletic. It looked like he had got that bounce back in his step.”
Tulowitzki, who wore No. 2 previously in honor of retired Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, is expected to discuss his decision publicly early next week.