It’s been a busy day for the Yankees, not only because of the 1PM EST Arbitration Settlement Deadline, but also because they have officially announced one MLB signing, finalized a deal for another MLB player, and had two players claimed off of waivers by the Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles.
So far, they have settled with 3 of their 9 arbitration-eligible players, but have had 1 player file for a hearing (which will probably occur in February). As news comes out about the remaining 5 players, we will update this quick list.
However, let’s get to quickly unpacking everything that happened today:
The Two Major League Signings:
The Yankees announced the official signing of LHP Zach Britton on a 3-Year Deal* (with a fourth year team option, which is best simplified here), and announced the finalization of a 2-Year Deal for INF DJ LeMahieu.
Back to the Bronx for @zbritton! pic.twitter.com/AoVBczCGtS — New York Yankees (@Yankees) January 11, 2019
The Yankees have signed LHP Zach Britton to a three-year contract extending through the 2021 season with a team option for 2022, which the club must exercise or decline following the 2020 season. — Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) January 11, 2019
If the Yankees decline the 2022 team option following 2020, Britton may elect to become a free agent for the 2021 season. To make room for Britton on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated INF Hanser Alberto for assignment. — Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) January 11, 2019
Here are some of our insights into the Zach Britton deal:
From Our Writers: Andy Signer’s Reaction, Paul Semendinger’s Reaction, Reaction from the Bronx Beat Podcast
LeMahieu deal with #Yankees indeed two years, $24M, per source. Pending physical. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 11, 2019
To find our announcement post, click here.
Personal thoughts to be coming from our writers in the following days.
The Claims by the Cleveland Indians and the Baltimore Orioles:
RHP A.J. Cole has been claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Indians. — Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) January 11, 2019
INF Hanser Alberto has been claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles. — Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) January 11, 2019
We here at StartSpreadingTheNews wish both of these players the best with their careers- when they aren’t playing against the Yankees- with their new ball clubs.
The Three (Known) Arbitration Filings: (Sorted by time of announcement)
The Yankees reached deals with all three of Greg Bird, Austin Romine, and Aaron Hicks, all of which were reported first by Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
Greg Bird gets $1.2 million deal with #Yankees, avoiding arbitration — Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 10, 2019
Austin Romine and #Yankees settle on $1.8 million contract — Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 11, 2019
The #Yankees will pay Aaron Hicks $6 million — Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 11, 2019
One Arbitration Hearing to Come:Embed from Getty Images
Jeff Passan (now of ESPN, not YahooSports) was the first to report that the Yankees and their ace-pitcher Luis Severino were not able to agree to terms on a new contract for the 2019 season.
New York Yankees starter Luis Severino did not agree to a contract and is expected to head to an arbitration hearing, league sources tell ESPN. — Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 11, 2019
The Final Five: (sorted by MLB service time)
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News has yet to break about the arbitration status for any of the following five players: Didi Gregorius, Sonny Gray, Dellin Betances, James Paxton, and Tommy Kahnle.
As news drops, we will update this post below.
UPDATE ONE: 6:07 PM
The Yankees have agreed to terms with RHP Dellin Betances, 1B Greg Bird, RHP Sonny Gray, SS Didi Gregorius, OF Aaron Hicks, RHP Tommy Kahnle, LHP James Paxton and C Austin Romine on one-year, non-guaranteed contracts, thus avoiding arbitration. — New York Yankees (@Yankees) January 11, 2019
The Yankees have officially come to terms with 8 of their 9 arbitration-eligible players for the 2019 season. Current salaries are still unknown for the “Final 5” listed above.
