By ,
Published January 13, 2015
Minneapolis, MN (SportsNetwork.com) - The Minnesota Twins signed free-agent right-hander Phil Hughes to a three-year, $24 million contract, saying the longtime New York Yankee will benefit from a change of scenery after a down season.
The team introduced Hughes on Thursday after the deal had been widely reported over the weekend.
Hughes, 27, spent his first seven MLB seasons with the Yankees, who drafted him in the first round in 2004.
His signing comes after the Twins inked another right-hander, Ricky Nolasco, to a four-year, $48 million deal.
"This is another good day for this organization," Twins general manager Terry Ryan said Thursday.
Ryan mentioned Hughes' subpar 2013 season, in which the righty went 4-14 with a 5.19 earned-run average in 29 starts and one appearance out of the bullpen.
"If Phil had his normal year I don't think we'd be sitting here today," Ryan said of the signing. "This is a classic change-of-scenery situation. ... Ultimately, we think he's got huge upside. He's in the prime of his career, there's no doubt about that."
Hughes, an All-Star in 2010, compiled a 56-50 record with a 4.54 ERA and 656 strikeouts in 182 games for the Yankees, including 132 starts.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/twins-land-hughes-with-24-million-deal