D-Backs, Arroyo agree to 2-yr, $23.5 million deal ADVERTISING D-Backs, Arroyo agree to 2-yr, $23.5 million deal SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Arizona Diamondbacks and Bronson Arroyo have agreed on a two-year, $23.5 million contract with a club option for a
D-Backs, Arroyo agree to 2-yr, $23.5 million deal
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Arizona Diamondbacks and Bronson Arroyo have agreed on a two-year, $23.5 million contract with a club option for a third.
The right-hander, who turns 37 in two weeks, has a 138-127 record with a 4.91 ERA. He pitched the last eight seasons with the Cincinnati Reds before becoming a free agent.
Last year, Arroyo was 14-12 with a 3.79 ERA.
The Diamondbacks had been searching for another veteran starter for their rotation and had been in contact over the past few days. Arroyo gets $9.5 million each of the next two seasons plus a $4.5 million buyout if the team doesn’t exercise its $11 million option for 2016.
Arroyo reportedly also had discussions with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles.
Royals add former player Sweeney to front office
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Mike Sweeney will get another chance to help the Royals make the playoffs.
Their longtime first baseman and arguably one of the most popular players in Royals history was hired Friday as club’s special assistant to baseball operations. Sweeney will help at spring training and assist general manager Dayton Moore and others on various projects.
“We’re thrilled as an organization that Mike will be joining our baseball operations department,” Moore said. “He’s a tremendous leader and I’m confident that he will impact our players and staff in positive way.”
Crisp gets $22.75M more under new deal with A’s
OAKLAND, Calif. — Coco Crisp offered a long list of reasons why Oakland is such a great fit for him for years to come.
The Athletics have mutual strong feelings about their do-everything center fielder and speedy leadoff man, who is staying with the A’s for an additional two seasons after agreeing Friday to a new contract through 2016 that adds $22.75 million in guaranteed money.
“It’s nice. I don’t think it was weighing on me too much,” Crisp said Friday, a day before Oakland holds its FanFest. “Either way, if it happened after the season or before, this is the place I want to be.”
The deal includes a 2017 option that could become guaranteed, the A’s said. Crisp was set to attend FanFest on Saturday with the two-time reigning AL West champions, a week ahead of the start of spring training in Phoenix.
Crisp has a $7.5 million salary this year under a club option exercised Nov. 1. He will earn $11 million per season in 2015 and 2016, and the 2017 option is for $13 million with a $750,000 buyout.
The 34-year-old Crisp, starting his fifth season with the A’s, hasn’t played more than 136 games in a season since arriving in the Bay Area. He batted .261 with the 22 homers, 66 RBIs and 21 steals last year.
Jeter upbeat heading into camp
TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter is upbeat after completing his third week of baseball activities.
Jeter, who turns 40 in June, was limited to 17 games last year after breaking his left ankle during the 2012 AL championship series. Ahead of spring training, he is taking batting practice, fielding grounders and has resumed a running program.
“I feel good,” Jeter said Friday after working out at the Yankees’ minor league complex. “I’ve been working hard, and I’ve had a complete offseason to work out and strengthen everything.”
The shortstop missed the first 91 games of the 2013 season, then felt pain in his right quadriceps when he returned July 11. He went back on the DL, returned July 28 for three games, then strained his right calf.
Back in the lineup on Aug. 26, he played through Sept. 7, when he left for a pinch runner after singling against Boston. Four days later the Yankees said his season was over. Jeter wound up hitting .190 (12 for 63) with one homer and seven RBIs.
By wire sources
