ARLINGTON, Texas — The only time Lance Lynn has pitched in the home ballpark of the Texas Rangers was as a rookie in 2011, during the World Series for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Lynn will now go into that stadium’s final season in 2019 as a big part of the Texas rotation. He signed a $30 million, three-year contract with the Rangers, who are coming off consecutive losing seasons for the first time since before their back-to-back World Series appearances.
“That was my rookie year, I was just happy to be there. I’m not going to hold it over anybody,” Lynn said, recalling that 2011 World Series the Cardinals won in seven games.
The Rangers introduced Lynn on Tuesday, completing a deal that was reached last week during the winter meetings subject to a successful physical. The 31-year-old righty is 21-18 with a 4.04 ERA in 64 games over the past two seasons since missing all of 2016 following Tommy John surgery.
“I feel strong, and it’s been a while since I’ve felt that way,” Lynn said. “I think you say that in the second half of last year. Hopefully, I can keep that going.”
Lynn’s deal includes a $4 million signing bonus, of which $3 million is payable on June 30 next year and $1 million on Jan. 15, 2020. He has salaries of $8 million in 2019, $10 million in 2020 and $8 million in 2021.
Lynn would get a $100,000 assignment bonus if traded before the end of 2020 to Arizona, Colorado, the Los Angeles Angels or Dodgers, Oakland, San Diego, Seattle or San Francisco. He also has award bonuses.
“We look at his track record. Extremely consistent, durable, winning performer on a major league stage,” general manager Jon Daniels said. “A veteran presence that we’re excited to add to the ballclub.”
Angeles ink Matt Harvey to 1-year deal
NEW YORK — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that pitcher Matt Harvey has agreed to an $11 million, one-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels.
Harvey can earn an additional $3 million in performance bonuses: $250,000 for each start from 15 through 26. The person spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not yet been announced.
A right-hander who turns 30 in March, Harvey was selected by the Angels in the seventh round of the 2007 amateur draft but did not sign. The Mets drafted him in the first round three years later and he became a star in 2012 when he made his major league debut.
But his career was derailed by injuries and off-the-field incidents that soured his relationship with the Mets, and New York traded him to Cincinnati last May.
His agreement was first reported by MLB.com.
