Phils give McCutchen $50M
The Phillies signed five-time All-Star outfielder Andrew McCutchen to a three-year, $50 million deal with a club option for 2022.
The 32-year-old McCutchen was an AllStar each season from 2011-15, topping .300 in batting average from 2012-14. He was the NL MVP in 2013.
McCutchen spent nine years with the Pirates before he was traded to the Giants last winter. He was dealt to the Yankees on Aug. 31 and hit .255 with 20 homers and 65 RBI in 155 games overall this year.
McCutchen has 223 homers, a
.287 average and 790 RBI in 10 major-league seasons.
The Phillies’ projected payroll is now $127 million, giving them room to pursue Bryce Harper and Manny Machado and still come in under the $206 million luxury-tax threshold.
Jays cut Tulowitzki
The Blue Jays released Troy Tulowitzki, but they still owe the oft-injured shortstop $38 million for the remaining two years of his contract. Now 34, Tulowitzki has not played in the major leagues since July 2017. He was limited that year to 66 games because of a hamstring and right ankle injury. The ankle required surgery last spring and he missed the season.
This and that
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said he will shift AL MVP Mookie Betts (.346, .438 OBP, 32 HR, 80 RBI) out of the leadoff spot and bat him second behind Andrew Benintendi (.290, .366, 16, 87).
♦ The Rockies hired Dave Magadan to be their hitting coach.
♦ Former White Sox pitcher Brandon McCarthy has been hired by the Rangers as special assistant to the general manager.
♦ The Cardinals traded third baseman Patrick Wisdom to the Rangers for infielder/ outfielder Drew Robinson.