Rick Porcello compiled a 73-55 record with a 4.43 ERA in five seasons with the Boston Red Sox. Associated Press/Charles Krupa
SAN DIEGO — Former AL Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello and the New York Mets have agreed to a $10 million, one-year contract, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because the agreement had not been announced.
A right-hander who turns 31 on Dec. 27, Porcello joins a rotation that includes Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman and Steven Matz.
Porcello grew up in New Jersey and went to Seton Hall Prep in West Orange.
He was 14-12 with a 5.52 ERA in 32 starts last year, his fifth and final season with Boston. His best year for the Red Sox was 2016, when he went 22-4 and won the AL Cy Young.
“He’s done it,” General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen said. “He’s been battle tested. He’s performed in the playoffs. He’s got rings on his fingers.”
Porcello has a 149-118 record and 4.36 ERA in 11 seasons, the first six with Detroit.
New York also has a pending one-year contract with right-hander Michael Wacha. With Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman also preparing to come to spring training as starters, the Mets have eight potential starters vying for five spots in spring training.
“I think we’re probably the deepest starting pitching rotation in baseball,” Van Wagenen said.
YANKEES: Outfielder Brett Gardner is staying with New York after the best offensive season of his career, agreeing to a one-year contract that guarantees $12.5 million, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
Gardner gets a $2 million signing bonus and an $8 million salary for next season. The Yankees have a $10 million option for 2021 with a $2.5 million buyout.
He earned $7.5 million last season, when he hit .251 and set career highs with 28 homers and 74 RBI.
TIGERS: Catcher Austin Romine agreed to a $4.15 million, one-year contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.
Romine, 31, played four seasons for the Yankees, mostly backing up Gary Sanchez. Praised for his defense and management of the pitching staff, Romine has steadily improved as a hitter. He batted .281 with eight home runs and a .748 OPS in 72 games last season.
RULE 5 DRAFT: Major league teams are getting an extra roster spot in 2020, and clubs went fishing for options at the Rule 5 draft Thursday.
The Detroit Tigers selected right-hander Rony Garcia from the New York Yankees with the first pick in the draft of unprotected minor leaguers. Eleven players were selected during the major league portion, and clubs must keep those players on the major league roster all of next season or else offer them back to their original team for half of the $100,000 selection fee.
Garcia is a 21-year-old starter with a four-pitch mix who spent most of last season at Double-A Trenton.
“Had a variety of people see him and think it’s a good fit for us,” said Dave Littlefield, a Portland native who is the Tigers’ vice president of player development.
The rebuilding Baltimore Orioles selected two players: right-handers Brandon Bailey from the Houston Astros and Michael Rucker from the Chicago Cubs.
The Astros lost right-hander Yohan Ramirez to Seattle and infielder Jonathan Arauz to Boston. Arauz played in Class A and AA this past season, hitting .249 with a .707 OPS, 11 homers and 55 RBI in 115 games.
DRUG TESTING: Major League Baseball will start testing for opioids and cocaine, but only players who do not cooperate with their treatment plans will be subject to discipline.
Marijuana will be removed from the list of drugs of abuse and will be treated the same as alcohol as part of changes announced to the joint drug agreement between MLB and the players’ association. In addition, suspensions for marijuana use will be dropped from the minor league drug program.
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