Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers Reach Six-Year, $60 Million Agreement

The reigning American League Champions have made their first big splash of the offseason, as the Texas Rangers signed Japanese right-hander Yu Darvish.  Negotiations dragged into deadline day, but the Rangers and Darvish were able to agree on a six-year, $60 million contract.  Along with their posting fee, the Rangers have committed approximately $112 million on Darvish this winter.

Soon after the Rangers won the bidding for Darvish, many around the league expected sides to reach an agreement prior to Wednesday’s deadline.  Still, the same people knew that negotiations would likely go down to the wire.

They did just that, but the result was a long-term deal for Darvish and a major free agent acquisition for the Rangers.

According to MLB.com, Darvish’s deal is worth $54 million guaranteed and includes another $4 million in roster bonuses.  Other escalating clauses could raise the deal to its potential maximum value of $60 million, and Darvish will have the opportunity to opt out of the contract after his fifth year if he wins the Cy Young Award or places high enough in the voting.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels told reporters that he feels Darvish is a player that can help Texas not only “get back to the World Series” but also help them win it next season.  Daniels called Darvish a “perfect fit” for the Rangers as a player who they feel “has proven himself on the big stage”.

Darvish’s Agent Arn Tellem noted that the Rangers not only showed a “scouting interest” in Darvish this winter, but they also “developed a relationship with him”.  This “intimate connection” appealed to Darvish and his family.  Tellem added that it doesn’t hurt that Texas is a great club “intent on taking the next step forward”.

Darvish will replace former Ranger C.J. Wilson atop Texas’s rotation.  The 25-year-old joins a projected Rangers rotation of Derek Holland, Colby Lewis, Matt Harrison and Neftali Feliz.

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