Orioles, Yovani Gallardo finalize $22M, 2-year deal
SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles hope that Yovani Gallardo will concentrate on solidifying their starting staff and that he will forget about the angst caused during the restructuring of his contract.
Gallardo and the Orioles finalized a $22 million, two-year contract on Thursday, a deal that includes a 2018 team option. The sides had agreed to a $35 million, three-year deal Saturday subject to him completing a physical to the satisfaction of the team.
"It was a little bit different, to be honest, but I'm just glad we were able to get something done," Gallardo said. "It's part of the process, to be honest. I think it's part of the situation, becoming a free agent, but everything for me, I'm past that."
Gallardo joins Kevin Gausman, Miguel Gonzalez, Ubaldo Jimenez and Chris Tillman in the rotation.
Baltimore and Gallardo were linked in the early in free agency, but it took three months for the deal to come together.
"We had a little bit of contact since Day 1. That was pretty much it," he said. "As the offseason went on, it got a little more serious. I want to pitch for a team that wants me."
Gallardo gets $9 million this year, of which $2.25 million is deferred with no interest, and $11 million in 2017, of which $1 million is deferred. The Orioles' option is at $13 million, of which $3 million would be deferred, and he would get a $2 million buyout if it is declined.
Gallardo receives the guaranteed deferred money in equal payments of $1,625,000 on July 1 in 2019 and 2020, and if the option is exercised he would get $3 million on July 1, 2021. If the option is declined, the buyout is due on July 1, 2018.
Because Gallardo turned down a $15.8 million qualifying offer from Texas in November, the Orioles forfeit their first-round draft pick, which would have been the 14th overall. Texas gains an extra selection after the first round.
Gallardo, who is 102-75 with a 3.42 ERA in his career, has thrown at least 180 innings and started at least 30 times for the last seven seasons. He was 13-11 with a 3.42 ERA for the Rangers last year.
"Yovani will be the first to tell you he's going to try to do his part and be somebody we are going to trust and depend on. Nothing more, nothing less," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "We feel good about that time of commitment for someone like him."
Gallardo worked out with the Orioles on Thursday, but did not throw. Showalter said he wouldn't throw on Friday, either, and doesn't know where in the rotation he'll work.
To make room for Gallardo on the 40-man roster, the Orioles designated first baseman/outfielder Efren Navarro for assignment.