Thursday, December 21, 2017
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Former Indians 1B Santana’s unselfish attitude attractive
PHILADELPHIA
Carlos Santana’s unselfish attitude made him a perfect fit for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Santana’s $60 million, three-year deal with a club option was finalized Wednesday, when he was introduced at a news conference. New manager Gabe Kapler helped Santana put on a white-and-red pinstriped jersey and general manager Matt Klentak handed him a red Phillies cap.
“I’m excited,” Santana said. “I know Philly has a lot of younger players, but my decision to sign here was because they want me, they believe in me.”
Santana gets a $10 million signing bonus payable within 60 days of the contract’s approval by the commissioner’s office and salaries of $15 million next year, $17 million in 2019 and $17.5 million in 2020. Philadelphia’s 2021 option is for $17.5 million with a $500,000 buyout.
Santana had spent all eight of his big league seasons in Cleveland. He hit 23 home runs with 79 RBIs in 2017. The 31-year-old switch-hitter has batted .249 with a .365 on-base percentage and has averaged 24 homers and 81 RBIs in his career.
The Phillies placed high value on his ability to draw walks and work the count. Santana has averaged 98 walks per season.
“It’s our goal to put forth a lineup every day one through eight of players who grind at-bats, take pitches, work walks, hit for power, make opposing pitchers work,” Klentak said. “There are few players in baseball who are as good at that as Carlos.”
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Rays trade veteran 3B Longoria in five-player deal
SAN FRANCISCO
The San Francisco Giants found the offense-producing third baseman they sought this offseason, acquiring Evan Longoria and cash from the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday for outfielder Denard Span, infielder Christian Arroyo and two minor league pitchers.
The 32-year-old Longoria leaves Tampa Bay as the longest-tenured player in franchise history, after spending nearly 10 seasons in a Rays uniform. He is the club’s all-time leader with 1,435 games played, 261 home runs and 892 RBIs. Of the 30 postseason games in Rays history, all 30 have featured Longoria starting at third base.
Longoria batted .261 with 20 homers and 86 RBIs last season. He is expected to fill a significant void for San Francisco at third, where the Giants mixed and matched during a surprising last-place season in 2017. Longoria has played at least 156 games in each of the past five seasons. He was the AL Rookie of the Year in 2008 and won three Gold Gloves.
The Giants also are sending right-hander Stephen Woods and left-hander Matt Krook to the Rays.
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Closer Britton ruptures Achilles tendon in workout
BALTIMORE
Orioles closer Zach Britton ruptured his right Achilles tendon in offseason training, a significant injury that could cause him to miss part of the 2018 season.
Baltimore executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette on Wednesday confirmed the torn Achilles tendon. It was not immediately clear how long Britton would be out.
In a tweet announcing the injury, the team said Britton was injured Tuesday while training in California and wished him a speedy recovery.
Britton had 15 saves and a 2.89 ERA with the Orioles this past season. In 2016, had a 0.54 ERA and was perfect in save opportunities with a major league-leading 47.
The left-hander, who turns 30 on Friday, is arbitration eligible after making $11.4 million last season. Britton can become a free agent after next season, which made him a strong trade candidate before the injury.
Britton has converted 135 of 145 save opportunities since becoming the Orioles’ closer in 2014.
SEATTLE MARINERS
Reliever Nicasio agrees to $17 million, two-year deal
SEATTLE
Reliever Juan Nicasio has finalized a $17 million, two-year contract with the Mariners that gives Seattle another hard-throwing arm out of its bullpen.
Nicasio gets a $500,000 signing bonus and salaries of $7.5 million next year and $9 million in 2019. He can earn an additional $3.5 million annually in performance bonuses for games finished.
Seattle announced the deal Tuesday after Nicasio successfully completed a physical. The deal was agreed to during the winter meetings last week in Florida.
A 31-year-old right-hander, Nicasio had a 2.61 ERA in 76 games last season, when he set a career high for appearances and tied for the NL lead.
Associated Press