The Cleveland Indians hope they got a Yankee-killer.
Chuck Finley became the first of the front-line free-agent pitchers to sign, agreeing Thursday with the Indians on a $27 million, three-year contract.Finley, Cleveland's first left-handed starter since 1991, went 12-11 with a 4.43 ERA and one complete game in 33 starts last season for the Angels.
He is 16-9 against the Yankees, including 1-1 with a 1.20 ERA in 15 innings against the World Series champions last season.
"I dream every night about pitching in the playoffs and getting a chance to go to the World Series," Finley said. "I couldn't have found a better situation."
Also Thursday, infielder Jose Hernandez agreed to a $10 million, three-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, and backup catcher Mike Matheny agreed to an $800,000, one-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Among players eligible for salary arbitration, left-hander Jose Rosado agreed to a $5.5 million, two-year contract with the Royals.
Finley, 37, gets an $11 million signing bonus, of which $2 million is payable now, $2 million on Jan. 15, 2002, and the rest deferred without interest, paid in equal installments of $2,333,333 on Jan. 15 in 2003, 2004 and 2005.