NEW YORK — CC Sabathia decided to stay with the Yankees rather than test the free-agent market, agreeing Monday to a new deal that adds $30 million to his existing contract and will pay $122 million over the next five years.
The 31-year-old left-hander had until midnight to opt out of his current agreement, which had $92 million remaining over the next four years in $23 million annual salaries.
“My goal the whole time was to be able to finish my career as a Yankee,” Sabathia said in a video posted on Twitter. “I look forward to seeing everybody out at the ballpark next year.”
New York added a $25 million salary for 2016 and gets a $25 million option for 2017 with a $5 million buyout.
• Reliever Rafael Soriano did not notify the Yankees he was opting out of his deal, which calls for him to make $11 million next year and $14 million in 2013.
• General manager Brian Cashman is expected to have his new multiyear contract announced this week.
Indians acquiring Lowe leads maneuvers around league
CLEVELAND — Three days before the opening of the free- agent market, the Indians acquired pitcher Derek Lowe from the Braves for minor-league left-hander Chris Jones in the first significant trade of the offseason.
Cleveland also exercised Carmona’s $7 million option and declined an $8.5 million option on outfielder Grady Sizemore, who gets a $500,000 buyout.
Several teams exercised contract options on pitchers, among them Tampa Bay on James Shields ($7.5 million), Texas on Colby Lewis ($4 million), Kansas City on Joakim Soria ($6 million) and the Chicago White Sox on Jason Frasor ($3.75 million). Cincinnati exercised a $12 million option on second baseman Brandon Phillips.
The World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals exercised a $7 million option on catcher Yadier Molina and declined options on right-hander Octavio Dotel ($3.5 million), shortstop Rafael Furcal ($12 million) and outfielder Corey Patterson ($1.1 million).
Angels outfielder Vernon Wells didn’t notify Los Angeles he would leave. Wells, who hit .218 with 25 homers and 66 RBIs, is owed $21 million in each of the next three seasons.
Among those whose options were exercised were Tampa Bay pitcher Kyle Farnsworth ($3.3 million), Toronto infielder Edwin Encarnacion ($3.5 million), Atlanta utilityman Eric Hinske ($1.55 million), Arizona catcher Henry Blanco ($1.15 million) and infielder Willie Bloomquist ($1.1 million) Boston declined options on right-handers Scott Atchison (next year’s minimum plus $200,000) and Dan Wheeler ($3 million); Arizona declined options on left-hander Zach Duke ($5.5 million) and infielder Aaron Hill, whose option covered 2012-14 at $26 million total. Pittsburgh turned down infielder Ronny Cedeño ($3 million), Ryan Doumit ($7.25 million), left-hander Paul Maholm ($9.75 million) and catcher Chris Snyder ($6.75 million).
Also declined were Cincinnati right-hander Francisco Cordero ($12 million), Tampa Bay catcher Kelly Shoppach ($3.2 million) and Toronto right-hander Jon Rauch.
Footnotes.
The Los Angeles Times, citing sources, reported that Dodgers owner Frank McCourt is close to agreement with Major League Baseball on a bankruptcy settlement in which he would agree to sell the team.
• New Padres general manager Josh Byrnes confirmed that former big-leaguer Phil Plantier was hired as hitting coach.
• Davey Johnson will be back as the Nationals’ manager in 2012. • The Red Sox interviewed Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin for their vacant managerial job.
• The Mets are moving the fences at Citi Field in by as much as 12 feet next season, lowering the height to 8 feet and changing the color to blue with an orange stripe on top.
The Associated Press
