Yankees Had a Deal with Tommy Hunter That Fell Through

The Yankees were the only team to not sign a Major League player this off season, but came extremely close with  reliever Tommy Hunter. 

More from Yanks Go Yard

• Should Yankees toss short-term extension at Harrison Bader before 2023?
• Yankees chose worst possible player to ring in New Year on 2023 team calendar
• Yankees State of the Farm System Review: Josh Breaux
• Yankees make upside play, sign former Rangers top prospect outfielder
• MLB insider claims favorite emerging in Bryan Reynolds rumors (not Yankees)

New York and Hunter had an agreement on a two-year, $12 million contract, but the Yankees backed out due to the results of Hunter’s physical. Hunter underwent core surgery twice this off season, most recently on Jan. 7.

Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman offered no further statements.

The former Baltimore Oriole would have been used in middle relief by the Yankees in order to form a bridge from the starters to the late-game trio of Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman. The 29-year-old had a 4.18 ERA with the Orioles and Cubs last season. He excelled in 2013-14, posting a 2.88 ERA in 128 games.

Instead the Cleveland Indians swooped in last week and signed Hunter to a one-year, $2 million contract plus $1 million available in games-pitched incentives.

“Prior to signing Tommy, we did a complete physical and we were comfortable moving forward with the agreed-upon terms,” Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said. “We realize [Hunter] is going to be delayed because of the off season core surgery, but we think he will be back in the first part of the season and impact our team when he returns.”

More yankees: Pettitte Not Concerned with Sabathia