The ace of the Minnesota Twins’ starting rotation has reportedly agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract extension, the New York Daily News reported early Monday morning.
After 10 up-and-down seasons with the Yankees, Hughes resurrected his career last season with the Twins, going 16-12 with a 3.52 ERA while setting an MLB record with an 11.62 strikeout-to-walk ratio. In easier to understand language, the right-hander struck out 182 batters while walking only 16.
OFFICIAL: The #MNTwins restructure contract and extend @PJHughes45 through 2019! http://t.co/dnI1VWrgJn pic.twitter.com/81oOZU3XEA
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) December 22, 2014
So pumped to call Minnesota home for the next 5 years! Thank you to the @Twins organization and fans for all the support! #TwinsTerritory
— Phil Hughes (@PJHughes45) December 22, 2014
The new deal will pay him approximately $9.2 million in 2015 and 2016, and $13.2 million each season from 2017-2019. Hughes still had $16 million remaining on the initial deal he signed with the Twins, so the total length and value of his remaining contract is five years and $58 million.
According to Hardball Talk, the contract includes a $1.2 million raise in each of the next two seasons (from $8 million to $9.2 million).
phil hughes agrees to $42M, 3-yr extension. @FeinsandNYDN 1st #twins
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 22, 2014
https://twitter.com/ParkerHageman/status/547035836072464385
The Yankees drafted Hughes with the 23rd pick in the 2004 MLB Draft. He was an All-Star in 2010, going 18-8 with a 4.12 ERA. After a rough 2011 campaign he was better in 2012, only to finish his Yankee career in 2013 with a brutal 4-14 record and a 5.63 ERA.
Minnesota’s projected starting rotation next season will feature: Hughes, newly signed right-hander Ervin Santana, Ricky Nolasco, Kyle Gibson and a fifth starter of either Tommy Millone, Mike Pelfrey, Trevor May or Alex Meyer.
UPDATED COMMENTS FROM HUGHES
Hughes: "I made a lot of changes last year. Wasn't just a shot in the dark and I got lucky. Advanced a lot. More mature approach."
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) December 22, 2014
Hughes: "There's a lot of times you look at clubs & they kind of sit stagnant… To sign guys like Santana and Hunter is the right formula"
— Howard Sinker (@afansview) December 22, 2014
Ryan: The closer you get to free agency, the harder it comes to make a deal. Phil was comfortable here and we were comfortable with him.
— Howard Sinker (@afansview) December 22, 2014
