Former Pirates catcher Diaz back with Rockies
The Colorado Rockies agreed to a $14.5 million, three-year contract with catcher Elias Díaz.
His deal was announced Thursday and covers one season of arbitration eligibility and two years of free agency. Díaz gets $3 million next season, $5.5 million in 2023 and $6 million in 2024.
Díaz, who turned 31 Wednesday, hit .246 last season with a career-best 18 homers, tied for third-most among National League catchers.
He also threw out 42.1% of base stealers, a mark only behind that of Kansas City’s Salvador Pérez.
The right-handed hitting Díaz was signed by Colorado as a minor league free agent in January 2020 and was brought up seven months later. He hit .235 over 26 games for Colorado during the pandemic-shortened season of ‘20.
The Pirates signed Díaz in May 2009. He batted .250 in 250 games for the Pirates from 2015-19. He also had 13 homers.
Yankees
Clint Frazier’s tenure with the Yankees may have ended after five unfulfilling seasons when New York designated him for assignment to open a roster spot for a prospect ahead of the winter meeting draft.
Frazier can be claimed by another major league team off waivers. If he is not, he could be assigned outright to the minors but he would have the right to reject the assignment and become a free agent because he has at least three years of major league service.
Infielders Rougned Odor and Tyler Wade also were designated for assignment.
Rangers
Manager Chris Woodward got a contract extension that goes through the 2023 season and includes a club option for another year after that.
The Rangers before last season had exercised their club option for 2022. Woodward originally got a threeyear contract with that option when he became the manager after the 2018 season.
Mets
Billy Eppler embraced the bright lights of the big city, promising on his first day as Mets general manager to pursue pricey free agents and create a perennial World Series contender.
Hired late Thursday by owner Steve Cohen and team president Sandy Alderson, Eppler was introduced Friday and tasked with the responsibility of reversing an underachieving organization coming off consecutive losing seasons, management turmoil that included an arrest and the loss of a talented star pitcher to free agency.
“I’m willing for the right deals and the right free agents to go and get the players we need,” Cohen said.
He estimated 2022 payroll currently at $185 million, with more spending ahead.
“We’ll be able to take a little bit bigger swings in free agency,” Eppler said.