Torres swaps with Yankees; Cortes, Holmes among 9 deals

NEW YORK — Gleyber Torres remained headed toward a salary arbitration hearing with the New York Yankees while nine teammates reached one-year agreements Friday, including All-Star pitchers Nestor Cortes and Clay Holmes.

Torres asked for a raise from $6.25 million to $10.2 million, and the Yankees offered the second baseman $9.7 million. If the sides don't strike a deal, a hearing would be held next month.

Right-hander Frankie Montas agreed to $7.5 million, while Cortes got $3.2 million.

Right-handers Domingo Germán ($2.6 million), Jonathan Loáisiga ($2,262,500) and Michael King ($1.3 million) also agreed, along with Holmes ($3.3 million) and left-hander Wandy Peralta ($3.35 million).

New York catchers Jose Trevino ($2.36 million) and Kyle Higashioka ($1,462,500) also reached agreements.

The 28-year-old Cortes went 12-4 with a 2.44 ERA in 28 starts last season, becoming a fan favorite. He made $727,500.

“It's a special day for my family and me. Specially my parents,” Cortes tweeted. “Sacrificed so much for the American dream. Always put me ahead of their needs. For EVERYONE keep grinding and stay hungry. This is the start!”

Holmes, who took over as closer from Aroldis Chapman until getting hurt, can earn an additional $100,000 in bonuses for games finished: $25,000 each for 25, 30, 35 and 40.

Holmes had 20 saves in 25 chances along with a 7-4 record and 2.54 ERA. Like Cortes, he was a first-time All-Star.

ALONSO, METS AVOID ARBITRATION WITH $14.5M, 1-YEAR DEAL

NEW YORK — Pete Alonso agreed Friday on a $14.5 million contract with the New York Mets for next season to avoid salary arbitration.

The slugging first baseman nearly doubled his $7.4 million salary from 2022, when he tied for the major league lead with 131 RBIs and finished eighth in NL MVP balloting. He batted .271 with 40 home runs and an .869 OPS in 160 games.

The two-time All-Star and 2019 NL Rookie of the Year can become a free agent following the 2024 season.

Five of the six other Mets who began the day eligible for arbitration agreed to one-year deals: catcher Tomás Nido ($1,575,000), reliever Drew Smith ($1.3 million), infielder Luis Guillorme ($1.6 million) and right-handers Elieser Hernández ($1.6 million) and Jeff Brigham ($760,000).

The only one who did not was All-Star second baseman Jeff McNeil, the reigning big league batting champion. McNeil asked for $7.75 million, while the Mets offered him $6.25 million.

Friday was the deadline for arbitration-eligible players to swap proposed salaries with their teams. If the Mets and McNeil are unable to strike a deal, they would go to a hearing before a three-person arbitration panel sometime between Jan. 30 and Feb. 17 in St. Petersburg, Florida.

In another move, the Mets acquired minor league outfielder Luis De La Cruz from Baltimore as the player to be named in the trade that sent catcher James McCann to the Orioles last month.

De La Cruz, 20, has batted .252 with one home run, 19 RBIs and a .405 on-base percentage over 60 career games in the Dominican Summer League.

PITCHER COREY KLUBER, RED SOX FINALIZE $10M, 1-YEAR CONTRACT

BOSTON — Two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber and the Boston Red Sox finalized a $10 million, one-year contract on Thursday.

The deal includes an $11 million club option for 2024, which could escalate by $2 million based on starts this year: $500,000 for 20 and $750,000 apiece for 25 and 30.

He can earn $2 million in performance bonuses for starts: also $500,000 for 20 and $750,000 each for 25 and 30.

In addition, Boston avoided salary arbitration with left-hander Josh Taylor by agreeing to a one-year contract for $1,025,000.