The last week in MLB was about a team in American League signing a starting pitcher, a club in the National League signs a reliever, and a team signs an outfielder to a multi-year contract.
Toronto Blue Jays Sign Starting Pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu to Four-Year Contract
The Toronto Blue Jays made a significant addition to their starting rotation several days ago, by signing starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu to a four-year, $80 million contract, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.
BREAKING: Left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu and the Toronto Blue Jays are in agreement on a four-year, $80 million contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 23, 2019
The deal includes a partial no-trade clause and no opt-outs, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
Ryu’s no-trade clause with Toronto is only a partial no-trade, not a full one, per source. Deal is 4 years/$80M with no opt-outs.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 23, 2019
Ryu is coming off a stellar campaign with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year in which he led the National League with a 2.32 ERA and finished second in the Cy Young voting.
He also tossed 182 2/3 innings, yielding 17 home runs, issuing 24 walks, striking out 163 batters, posting a 3.10 FIP, and a 1.00 WHIP.
The Blue Jays have an ace for their rotation with the signing of Ryu.
The Blue Jays didn’t commit too much money long-term to Ryu, but there is some risk involved.
He was forced to miss the entire 2015 season due to a shoulder injury, and last year marked the first time since 2013 he tossed more than 180 innings.
Ryu showed that when healthy, he’s a good starting pitcher, and the Blue Jays are hopeful the left-hander will be healthy during the length of the contract.
New York Mets Sign Reliever Dellin Betances to One-Year Deal
The New York Mets made a significant addition to their bullpen a couple of days ago, when they signed reliever Dellin Betances to a one-year contract with a player option for 2021, per a team announcement.
‘Twas the night before Christmas…When we signed four-time All-Star RHP Dellin Betances (@DBetances68) to a one-year contract with a player option for 2021!
More Info: https://t.co/49gV6Tt7Z3 pic.twitter.com/ogdRyzKEDj
— New York Mets (@Mets) December 24, 2019
The contract is worth $10.5 million and can increase to $13 million if he appears in 70 games, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.
Dellin Betances’ deal with the Mets is for $10.5M. He can get up to $13M if he reaches 70 games, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 24, 2019
The player option for 2021 is worth $6 million, per Joel Sherman of The New York Post.
Betances’ 2021 player option for $6M escalates by $800G if 40 games pitched in 2020, $1M for each 50/60/70 games. So maxes out at $9.8M. #Mets
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 24, 2019
Betances also has a vesting player option for 2022 worth $1 million if he pitches 50 games in 2020, notes Sherman.
Betances’ vesting player option for 2022 for $1M if he pitches 50 games in 2020 with a $500G buyout. 60 games = $2M or $1M buyout. 70 games = $3M or $1M buyout. #Mets
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 24, 2019
Betances appeared in just one game for the New York Yankees last season as he suffered a shoulder injury during spring training.
The previous year, Betances was solid in the bullpen for the Yankees as he compiled a 2.70 ERA in 66 2/3 innings pitched (66 games) with 115 strikeouts, 26 walks, seven home runs surrendered, a 156 ERA+, a 2.47 FIP, and a 1.05 WHIP.
The Mets are hopeful that Betances will be healthy next season.
The bullpen was a weakness for the club last year, and the signing of Betances addresses that need.
Miami Marlins Sign Outfielder Corey Dickerson to Two-Year Contract
The Miami Marlins have signed outfielder Corey Dickerson to a two-year contract, per Craig Mish of FNTSY Sports Radio.
Corey Dickerson has a 2 year deal with the Miami Marlins, pending physical.
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) December 28, 2019
The contract is worth $17.5 million, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
Corey Dickerson and the Marlins are finalizing a two-year deal worth $17.5 million, per source. Pending physical. @JonHeyman had him going to the Marlins 1st.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 28, 2019
The Marlins signing Dickerson was a smart move as he’s a solid outfielder.
He posted a .304 batting average and .906 OPS with 12 home runs and 59 RBIs in 78 games he split between the Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates in 2019.
Dickerson was forced to miss a big chunk of last season due to a fractured foot but has been very durable in his career, as indicated by him appearing in at least 130 games in four of his seven seasons.
The addition of Dickerson will be useful for some of the younger players on the Marlins’ roster.
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- Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.
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