David Wells and the New York Yankees finally agreed on a $13.5 million, three-year contract with an option that could be worth up to $18.55 million over four years.
Wells, a 33-year-old left-hander, became the Yankees' primary pitching target last Friday after Roger Clemens spurned New York and agreed to a $24.75 million, three-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. New York had been searching for a No. 3 starter since Jimmy Key agreed to a $7.88 million, two-year deal with Baltimore.The Boston Red Sox, hunting for pitchers following the departure of Clemens, agreed to a $700,000, one-year deal with Chris Hammond on Tuesday. A baseball lawyer, speaking on the condition he not be identified, said the Red Sox also were in discussions with the agent for Steve Avery, in a three-year slump since going 18-6 for Atlanta in 1993.
Baltimore, looking to add a bat, was said to be in talks with the agent for Greg Vaughn. Another free-agent hitter, Mike Greenwell, said he planned to spend next season with the Hanshin Tigers, who are coming off a last-place finish in Japan's Central League.
Leo Gomez was placed on unconditional release waivers by the Chicago Cubs, who said the infielder is arranging a contract with the Chunichi Dragons of Japan's Central League.
On the trade front, Detroit dealt left-hander Joey Eischen and right-hander Cam Smith to San Diego for catcher Brian Johnson and right-hander Willie Blair.