Betts OK’s 1-year, $20 million deal
AL MVP Mookie Betts and the World Series champion Boston Red Sox agreed to a $20 million, one-year contract, a raise of $9.5 million that was for a few hours the highest for an arbitration-eligible player.
Betts was surpassed later Friday by New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom, who got a raise from $7.4 million to $17 million.
The Red Sox reached deals with all nine players eligible for arbitration ahead of Friday’s scheduled swap of salary figures. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts got a $12 million contract and outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. $8.55 million.
After beating the Red Sox in arbitration last offseason, the 26-year-old Betts led the major leagues in batting average (.346) and slugging percentage (.640) and was second in on-base average (.438).
He also had 84 extra-base hits, including 32 home runs, and stole 30 bases. He also won his third straight Gold Glove.
Betts can also make more in award bonuses. He is eligible for free agency after the 2020 World Series. got All-purpose player Brock Holt, pitchers Matt Barnes, Eduardo Rodriguez and Brandon Workman, and catchers Sandy Leon and Blake Swihart also reached agreements.
Elsewhere: Slugger Jose Abreu and the Chicago White Sox agreed to a $16 million, one-year contract, avoiding arbitration. The White Sox also announced one-year deals with righthander Alex Colome ($7,325,000), lefty Carlos Rodon ($4.2 million), and third baseman Yolmer Sanchez ($4,625,000) on Friday . ... Gold Glove-winning free-agent second baseman D.J. LeMahieu and the Yankees have agreed to a $24 million, two-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press, a deal that would appear to eliminate New York as a destination for Manny Machado . ... The Los Angeles Dodgers reacquired catcher Russell Martin on Friday in a trade with Toronto, days after Yasmani Grandal left for a deal with Milwaukee. Los Angeles obtained the 35year-old Canadian from the Blue Jays for minor leaguers Andrew Sopko, a righthander, and Ronny Brito, an infielder. Toronto is sending cash to offset some of the $20 million Martin is owed in the final season of his contract. A four-time All-Star, Martin was with the Dodgers from 2006-10 and helped lead Los Angeles to three playoff appearances . ... Khris Davis, last season’s major league home run leader, reached agreement with the Athletics on a $16.5 million, oneyear contract to avoid salary arbitration. The A’s also said they had agreed to one-year deals with lefthander Sean Manaea, infielders Jurickson Profar and Marcus Semien, and outfielder Mark Canha to avoid arbitration . ... Right-hander David Phelps and the Blue Jays agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract, a deal that could be worth $13.75 million over two seasons . ... Astros third baseman Alex Bregman will be limited at the start of spring training after arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow.
ETC.
Soccer: Florida International senior forward Santiago Patino was selected third overall by Orlando City in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft. Expansion Cincinnati selected UCLA midfielder Frankie Amaya with the No. 1 pick.
College football: Four Alabama players are skipping their final seasons to enter the NFL draft, AllAmerica left tackle Jonah Williams and Outland Trophy-winning defensive lineman Quinnen Williams, versatile tailback Josh Jacobs and tight end Irv Smith Jr.
Golf: Adam Svensson of Canada capped off a rookie round to remember with a 10-foot birdie putt for a 9-under 61 to take a one-shot lead in the opening round late Thursday at the Sony Open in Honolulu.
Tennis: Ashleigh Barty continued her strong run at the Sydney International with a semifinal win over Kiki Bertens, beating the Dutch player 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 7-5. She will play two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, who beat Serbian qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-1, 6-2. ... Gordon Smith, longtime CEO and executive director of the U.S. Tennis Association, will retire at the end of 2019 after 12 years on the job.
NHL: Rick Nash has decided to retire at 34 because of unresolved symptoms from a concussion he suffered in March. Agent Joe Resnick said Nash decided under advice from doctors that the risk of brain injury was far too great if he returned to play hockey. Nash scored 437 goals and had 368 assists for 805 points in 1,060 regular-season NHL games.