After missing out on the top two starting pitchers on the market, the New York Yankees are nearing a deal with one of their own.
The New York Yankees are closing in on an agreement with free agent pitcher J.A. Happ, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
The reported deal is rumored to be for three years.
Walking this back. Indications are #Yankees are close on Happ, but no agreement in place. https://t.co/FvR5bwUVDw
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 12, 2018
The reported deal comes after it was rumored the Yankees only wanted to offer the 36-year-old a two-year contract as opposed to three.
The Philadelphia Phillies were also heavily interested in signing Happ. Both the Phillies and Yankees missed out on starting pitcher Patrick Corbin, who ultimately signed with the Washington Nationals for six years, $140 million.
Happ was named to his first All-Star Game in 2018 while splitting time with the Toronto Blue Jays and the Yankees. Between both teams, Happ went 17-6 with 3.65 earned run average in 177.2 innings pitched over a total of 31 games. However, with the Yankees, Happ went 7-0 with a 2.69 ERA in 11 games.
The Yankees had already made a much-needed move for a starting pitcher earlier this offseason when they agreed to a trade with the Seattle Mariners for James Paxton on November 19. Additionally, the team resigned CC Sabathia to a one year, $8 million contract on Nov 7.
Recently, the Yankees have been rumored to be included in a three-team blockbuster trade with the Miami Marlins and the crosstown rival New York Mets that would see the Yankees landing Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard. However, talks seemed to have stalled on the prospective deal.