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Just days after David Robertson’s defection to Philadelphia, the Yankees made a move to solidify their bullpen’s dominance. Last night, Tyler covered the story that Zach Britton was re-signing with the Yankees, while Caitlin, Jake, and Josh dug a little deeper into what this means for the team moving forward. Now, let’s take a look at the media coverage.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic first tweeted that the two sides were making progress on a contract:
#Yankees progressing toward deal with free-agent reliever Zach Britton, sources tell The Athletic. Could be finalized soon.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 6, 2019
Minutes later, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that the deal was done:
Zach Britton has a deal with the Yankees, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 6, 2019
Passan, Rosenthal, Jon Heyman of Fancred, Bob Nightengale of USA Today, and Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports were on the beat with more details:
When finalized, Zach Britton's deal with the Yankees will be for three years guaranteed, sources tell ESPN. The Yankees will be able to exercise a fourth-year option after the second season. If they don't, Britton will have the ability to opt out following that second year.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 6, 2019
Britton opt-out will be after two years. Once finalized, Yankees will likely have an “opt in” after two that could extend deal to four. But as said, 3 years is the guarantee.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 6, 2019
Britton: $13m in '19, $13m in '20, $13m in '21, possible $14m in '22. Can opt out after 2020 if club doesn't opt in.
— Tim Brown (@TBrownYahoo) January 6, 2019
Zach Britton will receive a $1 million assignment bonus if he is traded during the course of his new deal with the #Yankees.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 6, 2019
MLB.com reported the deal before the Yankees even confirmed it:
.@Yankees, Zach Britton close to deal, @ken_rosenthal reports. Club has not confirmed. https://t.co/VubjskgeOq pic.twitter.com/cKliReVRPL
— MLB (@MLB) January 6, 2019
Katie Sharp of The Athletic provided some great stats:
Zach Britton has the lowest ERA among qualified relievers over the last 5 seasons (1.82). https://t.co/gw765I3Sn5
— Katie Sharp (@ktsharp) January 6, 2019
Groundball Pct Leaders (min. 30 IP)
— Katie Sharp (@ktsharp) January 6, 2019
2018 - Zach Britton
2017** - Scott Alexander
2016 - Zach Britton
2015 - Zach Britton
2014 - Zach Britton
**Britton 2nd in 2017
The YES Network is pumped that Britton will remain in pinstripes:
Zach Britton is reportedly headed back to the Bronx: https://t.co/XY75xuJRjC pic.twitter.com/s2CHEUNLRS
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) January 6, 2019
All the dailies in New York chimed in:
The Yankees are bringing back lefty Zach Britton on a three-year contract, source says | @DPLennon https://t.co/xrO6h50NM8 pic.twitter.com/TFpSBcj5sY
— Newsday Sports (@NewsdaySports) January 6, 2019
Zach Britton and the Yankees cut a deal to stay together. https://t.co/6vf0Ka5PNe
— NYT Sports (@NYTSports) January 6, 2019
It looks like Zach Britton is coming back to the #Yankees https://t.co/fgEjecSLEd
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) January 6, 2019
BREAKING: Zach Britton will be back in the Yankees bullpen https://t.co/GujjAOo9KV
— NY Daily News Sports (@NYDNSports) January 6, 2019
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Max Wildstein of Gotham Sports Network, and Heyman remind us that the Yankees are still very much in the hunt for Adam Ottavino:
With Britton headed back to the Yankees, Adam Ottavino is the top (non-Kimbrel) reliever left on the market. The Yankees have been engaged with Ottavino’s reps, and could still sign him to replace David Robertson.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 6, 2019
Zach Britton is the next piece of the puzzle for the #Yankees. Do they also end up signing Adam Ottavino? We all know how much NYY loves their pen.
— Max Wildstein (@MaxWildstein) January 6, 2019
Even with Yankees about to add Britton (finalizing) they are continuing to pursue Ottavino @Ken_Rosenthal 1st on Britton being close
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 6, 2019
Finally, Wildstein reminds us that the Yankees need to make room on their 40-man roster for Britton:
Totally forgot, but #Yankees have to make room on the 40-man roster for Zach Britton. So, there’s that coming.
— Max Wildstein (@MaxWildstein) January 6, 2019
A.J. Cole was DFA’d to make room for Troy Tulowitzki. Who will be DFA’d to make room for Britton?