MetsMan67
Over Seas' Scout
Germany
Posts: 118
(11/4/03 6:01 pm)
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Yanks decline their option on Wells
Yanks decline their option on Wells
Under different agreement, pitcher could return to NY
By Mark Feinsand / MLB.com
NEW YORK -- Despite having a pitching staff that is under offseason reconstruction, the Yankees declined to exercise their option on left-hander David Wells for the 2004 season.
Wells, who compiled a 15-7 record with a 4.14 ERA in 2003, would have received $6 million next season had the Yankees exercised the option. Instead, he will receive a $1 million buy out and is now a free agent. Wells filed for provisional free agency last week, preparing for the possibility of the Yankees declining the option.
General manager Brian Cashman spoke with Wells' agent, Gregg Clifton, this week to inform him that the team would not pick up the option, though Cashman said that the move did not necessarily mean that Wells would not return to the Yankees for the 2004 season.
"We won't bring him back under current circumstances," Cashman said. "But that doesn't preclude us from bringing him back under other circumstances."
Wells signed a two-year deal with the Yankees before the 2002 season for a guaranteed $6 million, but the left-hander earned about $4 million more in incentive clauses. Wells went 34-14 over the past two seasons with a 3.95 ERA, making 61 starts and one relief appearance.
Wells won his starts in both the AL Division Series and AL Championship Series this season before losing Game 1 of the World Series to the Florida Marlins. Wells left his Game 5 start after just one inning due to back spasms, bringing his health into question with regards to his future. Wells underwent back surgery in July 2001, and he has battled chronic back pains over the past few years.
The lefty was examined after the season, though Cashman wouldn't say what the diagnosis was, saying that since Wells was now a free agent, it wouldn't be appropriate. The GM wasn't sure whether or not Wells would need offseason back surgery, saying only that he would be receiving a second opinion.
Heading into the offseason, the only Yankees starting pitchers under contract are Mike Mussina, Jose Contreras, Jeff Weaver and Jon Lieber.
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