Announcements » With the Baltimore Orioles needing to make changes for the

future as they endure a disastrous 2018 season Walt Weiss Jersey , reliever Zach Britton was traded to the New York Yankees, the Orioles announced.Jon Heyman of Fancred.com first reported the two teams agreed to a deal. He added that Double-A right-hander Dillon Tate is one of the pieces likely headed to Baltimore in return.Per Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Orioles' return will also likely include Triple-A left-hander Josh Rogers and Triple-A reliever Cody Carroll. Sherman added that while all deals aren't done until the physicals are reviewed, the trade has been agreed upon.The Orioles already signaled they were looking ahead to 2019 and beyond when they traded Manny Machado to the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 18 for a package of five prospects.Britton didn't make his 2018 debut until June 12 after rupturing his Achilles in December. The southpaw is still rounding back into shape with a 3.45 ERA, 13 strikeouts and 10 walks in 15.2 innings.Last season was a struggle for Britton because of injuries. He had two separate stints on the disabled list because of a strained left forearm, including a two-month spell from an appearance on May 4 to his return on July 5.Britton was one of the best relievers in Major League Baseball in 2016. He finished fourth in American League Cy Young voting after leading the league with 47 saves and posting a 0.54 ERA with 74 strikeouts and 38 hits allowed in 67 innings.The big key for Britton's success two years ago was his emphasized use of the cutter, as noted by ESPN's Jayson Stark in March."Britton went from featuring the sinker about 67 percent of the time in 2013 to more than 90 percent in each of the past three seasons," Stark wrote. "The results were mind-blowing. He allowed just 32 balls in the air all of the past season. Even the hitters don't understand how that can happen."Britton relied on the pitch even more in 2017, throwing it a career-high 94.7 percent of the time Marcus Semien Jersey , per FanGraphs. He was still effective but not as dominant, with a 2.89 ERA in 37.1 innings. His strikeouts per nine innings of 7.0 was his lowest total since 2013 (4.1).The Orioles likely knew there was a chance they would part ways with Britton, who is going to be a free agent after this season. They sit in last place in the American League East, so having a reliever who has battled injuries for two years in a lame duck year doesn't do anything to help them now or in the future.Tate is the key piece in the deal from Baltimore's side. He was a first-round pick by the Texas Rangers in 2015 and has posted a 3.38 ERA in 15 starts this season. MLB.com ranked him as New York's ninth-best prospect in 2018, noting he could end up in the bullpen because his excellent stuff doesn't miss as many bats as it should.Despite the injury risk, the Yankees are betting on him being able to turn things around after struggling to stay on the field last season.The Yankees didn't necessarily need to upgrade their bullpen. Their current group of relievers ranks first in MLB with a 2.75 ERA, 448 strikeouts and .199 batting average against.Starting pitching seemed like a better focus for New York, but with a soft market lacking impact in that role, being able to shorten games with another power arm out of the bullpen gives manager Aaron Boone a lot of options to pick from.Britton adds a left-handed presence in the back of New York's bullpen http://www.athleticsfanproshop.com/authentic-khris-davis-jersey , along with closer Aroldis Chapman. The rest of the primary relievers are all right-handers like David Robertson, Chad Green, Dellin Betances and Adam Warren.The Yankees' addition of Britton allows Boone to play matchups however he wants as his team continues its march toward the postseason. GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Chicago White Sox think Eloy Jimenez is going to be a big-time slugger.They are so sure they gave the young outfielder a record-breaking deal.The 22-year-old Jimenez is looking forward to the upcoming season after finalizing a $43 million, six-year contract with Chicago, nearly double the amount of the previous high for a player under club control yet to make his major league debut.“It’s something I was dreaming when I was a kid,” Jimenez said Saturday at Camelback Ranch. “The dream’s come true and I feel really proud and happy for this moment. This is a moment I’m never gonna forget.”Jimenez celebrated with three hits in a 5-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, including a solo drive for his second spring homer.The agreement announced Friday includes team options for 2025 and 2026 that if exercised would raise the total to $75 million over eight years.Jimenez was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on March 13. If he stays in the minors for the first 20 days of the season, it would push back his free-agent eligibility by one year until after the 2025 season. If either of the contract options is declined Reggie Jackson Jersey , he would be eligible for either salary arbitration or free agency based on whether he has six years of major league service at that point.Jimenez was a key part of the trade that sent pitcher Jose Quintana to the crosstown Cubs during the 2017 season. Jimenez hit .337 with 22 homers and 75 RBIs at Double-A and Triple-A last season.“Both of us are looking forward to opening day and Eloy getting started in his White Sox career,” general manager Rick Hahn said. “It’s a very happy day for us in the organization.”Hahn referenced Mark Buehrle and Chris Sale as previous White Sox players who earned multiyear contracts early in their careers. He said Jimenez’s talent is the biggest reason for his unusual deal, but there were other factors.“It does extend beyond that,” Hahn said. “Whenever we have attempted to do this, it has always been with a player whose makeup and work ethic we trusted, one that we felt was not going to change with the security that a long-term contract brings, one that ideally is a potential leader in that clubhouse.”Jimenez was batting .154 with two doubles and a home run in Cactus League play when he was sent down the minors. He later admitted he was pressing in his bid to make the major league roster.Jimenez, joined in Arizona by his parents and his brother Enoy — an infielder in the White Sox organization — is one of the majors’ best prospects. Hahn stressed that the contract is about the future of the rebuilding White Sox, who went 62-100 last year in their sixth consecutive losing season.“There’s going to be ups and downs over the course of the next several months http://www.athleticsfanproshop.com/authentic-khris-davis-jersey ,” Hahn said of Jimenez’s upcoming rookie season. “This is about the long term, not about just the next few weeks or how the major league debut goes.”Jimenez isn’t worrying about it now.“I’m gonna handle it, because I’m not gonna put pressure on me,” he said. “I’m going to play hard.”