Houston hires Click to serve as new GM

The Houston Astros hired James Click as their new general manager, taking the Tampa Bay Rays executive and putting him in charge of the scandalridden team a week before the start of spring training.

Click succeeds Jeff Luhnow, who along with manager AJ Hinch was fired by the Astros. Houston, coming off a Game 7 loss to Washington in the World Series, hired manager Dusty Baker last week.

Astros owner Jim Crane announced the addition of Click, who spent the past three seasons as the vice president of baseball operations for the Rays. Click, 42, had been with Tampa Bay for 14 seasons.

“I am excited to join the Astros family,” Click said. “The Astros are a progressive and innovative organization with a deeply talented group in the front office.”

Mariners

Left-hander Marco Gonzales and Seattle agreed to a $30 million contract covering 2021-24, a deal that includes a club option and could be worth $45 million over five seasons. Gonzales is about to begin his third full season with the Mariners after arriving in 2017 via a trade from St. Louis. Gonzales gets $1 million this year in the final season of a $1.9 million, two-year deal.

Yankees

New York now has more competition for backup catcher, with Erik Kratz, Josh Thole and Chris Iannetta agreeing to minor league deals. Austin Romine, Gary Sanchez’s backup the past three seasons, became a free agent and agreed to a $4.15 million, one-year contract with Detroit.

Marlins

Right-hander Brandon Kinztler and Miami have finalized a one-year contract that guarantees him $3,275,000. Miami also completed a $1.5 million, oneyear deal with outfielder Matt Joyce, who can earn an additional $250,000 in performance bonuses.