The Yankees settled their first piece of offseason business on Thursday, exercising an option that could keep left-hander Zack Britton in their bullpen through 2022.
The move, which was revealed by a source, has not been formally announced by the club.
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— Zack Britton (@zbritton) October 29, 2020
Britton, who will turn 33 in December, had a unique clause in his contract that required the Yankees to pick up a $14 million option for 2022. Had they not, the sinkerballer could have elected free agency, forgoing his $13 million salary for ’21.
Instead, Britton projects to remain an important figure in the Yanks’ bullpen hierarchy, setting up for left-hander Aroldis Chapman. Britton was 1-2 with a 1.89 ERA and eight saves in 20 appearances for New York this past season.
He made four appearances during the playoffs, charged with a pair of runs in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series against the Indians before working four scoreless frames against the Rays in the American League Division Series.
A two-time AL All-Star (2015, ’16) while with the Orioles, Britton is 5-3 with a 2.14 ERA and 14 saves over 111 appearances since being acquired by the Yankees in a July 2018 trade. Britton re-signed with the Yankees in January 2019.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].