NEW YORK (AP) — Free agent outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, fresh off winning the World Series with Boston, reached agreement with the rival New York Yankees on a seven-year contract worth about $153 million, a person familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday night.
Ellsbury is the second major free-agent addition in the Yankees’ offseason rebuilding after missing the playoffs for just the second time in 19 years. Earlier Tuesday, New York finalized an $85 million, five-year contract with All-Star catcher Brian McCann.
There is a long history of stars moving from Beantown to the Big Apple during their careers. Babe Ruth was the most famous, and Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs and Johnny Damon followed.
Ellsbury, who turned 30 in September, led the majors with 52 stolen bases despite being hobbled late in the season by a broken right foot. The lefty-hitting leadoff man batted .298 with nine homers and 53 RBIs.
Ellsbury’s deal includes a $21 million option for the 2021 season, with a $5 million buyout. If the option is exercised, the deal would be worth $169 million over eight years.
Meanwhile, catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia is going from the World Series champions to a team that lost 100 games.
Saltalamacchia has agreed to a $21 million, three-year deal with the Miami Marlins, two people familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday.
Under terms of the agreement with Saltalamacchia, he’ll make $6 million in 2014, $7 million in 2015 and $8 million in 2016.
Sox signing
Free-agent catcher A.J. Pierzynski has agreed to a one-year contract with the Boston Red Sox, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said Tuesday.
The lefty-hitting Pierzynski and righty David Ross, the backup, both will be 37 next season.
Pierzynski hit .272 with 17 homers and 70 RBIs last season, his only one with the Texas Rangers.
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