The Minnesota Twins introduced starting pitcher Phil Hughes to the Twin Cities on Thursday.
The former Yankees right-hander signed a three-year, $24 million contract. He make an additional $1 million if he reaches innings-pitched based incentives built into his contract.
Hughes, 27, said pitching in Target Field – a pitcher-friendly ballpark – was a big factor in choosing to sign with the Twins.
“It was significant,” Hughes said in an interview with FOX Sports North. “The fact that I am a fly-ball pitcher, I don’t think that’s going to change and Target Field can be more forgiving to a style like that.”
Twins general manager Terry Ryan hopes Hughes can follow a similar route that Francisco Liriano took after leaving the Twins.
“I think change of scenery… and it’s not too much unlike Franky Liriano last year,” Ryan said. “He left the Twins, went to Pittsburgh and he took off. Maybe that will happen with Phil Hughes.”
Starting pitching looks like it will be quite a bit stronger with Hughes, Ricky Nolasco and Kevin Correia at the top of the rotation.
