=== Yankees, Wright finalize three-year deal === Bronx, NY (Sportsbooks) - The New York Yankees and free agent pitcher Jaret Wright have finalized a three-year contract worth a reported $21 million. Wright is the second pitcher the Yankees have signed this offseason, joining fellow righthander Carl Pavano in the rotation. New York is also trying to work out a deal for Diamondbacks ace Randy Johnson. The 29-year-old Wright, who reached a preliminary agreement with the Yankees in early December, went 15-8 with a 3.28 ERA and a career-high 159 strikeouts for the Atlanta Braves last season. Wright, though, lost both of his starts against Houston in the opening round of the playoffs. Wright had been plagued by shoulder problems in each of the previous four seasons. If he lands on the disabled list because of a shoulder problem for a combined 75 days or more during the first two years, New York can opt out of his salary for 2007 and pay a $4 million buyout. The 10th overall pick in the 1994 draft, Wright owns a 52-45 career mark with a 5.09 earned run average in 180 career games (128 starts) with the Indians, Padres and Braves. During his rookie year of 1997 with Cleveland, Wright helped eliminate the Yankees in the first round of the playoffs and posted a 3-0 record in five postseason starts to help the Indians reach the World Series. |
