Dodgers News: Ricky Nolasco Agrees To Terms With The Minnesota Twins
A few days after the Dodgers signed a free agent starting pitcher of their own, it looks like they have one on his way out.
The Dodgers acquired right-hander Ricky Nolasco in July from the Miami Marlins in exchange for three minor league pitchers. He became the team’s fourth starter in the rotation and his contract was up at the end of the season.
According to Chris Cotillo of SB Nation’s MLB Daily Dish, the 30-year-old won’t be returning to the Dodgers next season:
Source: #Twins agree to terms with Ricky Nolasco.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) November 27, 2013
The terms of the contract have not yet been released but it was reported earlier this off-season that Nolasco was looking for a multi-year deal worth $80 million. The Dodgers never expressed interest in bringing the right-hander back at those numbers.
With the Dodgers, Nolasco went 8-3 with a 3.52 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 87 innings. He pitched in 16 games and started 15 of them. His best performance was an eight inning, two-hit performance against the eventual World Series champion Boston Red Sox in August. He was slated to start Game 4 of the NLDS but was pushed back when Clayton Kershaw went on three days rest. In the NLCS, Nolasco did pitch Game 4 and lasted just four innings, giving up three runs in a game that the Dodgers would lose.
In his career, Nolasco is 89-75 with a 4.37 ERA and 1,076 strikeouts over eight seasons. Before the Dodgers, the 30-year-old had spent his entire career with the Florida/Miami Marlins. Now it appears that Nolasco will be heading to the American League with the Twins. In his career, he’s pitched one game at Target Field and went five innings giving up two earned runs, earning the victory.
The Dodgers recently signed Dan Haren and GM Ned Colletti said that they’re still pursuing another starting pitcher, but it won’t be Nolasco.
UPDATE: 5:45 PM PST from Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports:
Ricky Nolasco’s deal with Twins is four years, $49M guaranteed with a 2018 option. Gets $12M a year in 2014-17 with $1M buyout on option.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 28, 2013
Nolasco’s option is a club option for 2018 worth $13M. It can vest and turn into a player option based on innings pitched in 2016-17.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 28, 2013
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