Starting pitcher Phil Hughes was rewarded after a career season with the Minnesota Twins in 2014. In Los Angeles, the Angels signed a Cuban infielder over the weekend after the 20-year-old passed his physical on Saturday.
Hughes will remain with Minnesota through the 2019 season after he was given a three-year extension worth $42 million on Monday. The right-hander had his best year as a starter this past season after having his worst in 2013 with the New York Yankees. Hughes, an eight-year veteran, was 16-10 with a 3.52 ERA and 1.13 ERA in 32 starts (209 2/3 innings) in his first season with Minnesota. Just one year earlier he was 4-14 with a 5.19 ERA in 30 games (29 starts) and accumulated just 145 2/3 innings of work.
According to Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Hughes' annual salary has increased from $8 million to $9.2 million for 2015 and 2016 and he'll also earn $13.2 million annually from 2017-2019. The 28-year-old signed a three-year, $24 million contract before the 2014 season and will now earn $58 million over the next five seasons thanks to his career year that featured an MLB record for the best strikeout-to-walk ration (11.63). Hughes and Ervin Santana, who just signed a four-year, $55 million deal with the Twins, will headline the top of Minnesota's rotation.
The Los Angeles Angels rewarded a player who they believe will contribute to the future of their team. According to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com, Cuban infielder Roberto Baldoquin passed his physical and officially signed with the Angels after agreeing to a deal back in November. The 20-year-old shortstop will receive an $8 million signing bonus and start the 2015 season at either Class-A Advanced Inland Empire or Double-A Arkansas, writes Cash Kruth of MLB.com.
The youngster has reportedly been training with Javier Rodriguez, who is also the trainer of Cuban outfielder Yasmany Tomas. He recently signed a six-year, $68.5 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Baldoquin is regarded as an exceptional defensive shortstop because of his "outstanding body control, sound footwork and smooth hands," writes Ben Badler of Baseball America.
"We're going to let him tell us when it's time to move," Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said during the Winter Meetings, "but he's a pretty advanced player. He's a confident kid who understands what he is, what he can do."
