Teams spend $1B on day MLB, union likely head to lockout

Wed, Dec 1, 2021
MLB News (AP)

NEW YORK (AP) - Major league teams committed to over $1 billion in salaries in one day for the first time Wednesday, hours before the league was expected to lock out the players following the 11:59 p.m. EST expiration of the collective bargaining agreement.

The Texas Rangers led the spending spree, finalizing deals with shortstop Corey Seager for $325 million over 10 years and infielder Marcus Semien for $175 million over seven years.

Ace Max Scherzer got $130 million over three years from the New York Mets, and right-hander Kevin Gausman landed with the Toronto Blue Jays for $110 million over five years. Twins center fielder Byron Buxton also finalized a $100 million, seven-year contract to remain with Minnesota.

The Tigers were also expected to finish a $140 million, six-year deal with shortstop Javier Baez.

The 16 deals and counting announced Wednesday totaled $1,011,250,000, part of more than $1.9 billion in new contacts handed out in the days ahead of the CBA expiration.

The union and league are likely headed for a protracted labor dispute after the average major league salary fell on opening day in 2021 for the fourth consecutive season.

Among the other deals completed Wednesday:

- OF Avisail Garcia to Miami, $53 million over four years

- LHP Alex Wood to San Francisco, $25 million over two years

- INF Eduardo Escobar to New York Mets, $20 million over two years

- INF/OF Leury Garcia to the Chicago White Sox, $16.5 million over three years

- C Yan Gomes to the Chicago Cubs, $13 million over two years

- RHP Yimi Garcia to Toronto, $11 million over two years

- RHP Corey Knebel to Philadelphia, $10 million over one year

- RHP Corey Kluber to Tampa Bay, $8 million over one year

- RHP Andres Munoz with Seattle, $7.5 million over four years

- C Roberto Perez to Pittsburgh, $5 million over one year

- C Kevin Plawecki with Boston, $2.25 million over one year

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