Yankees, Zach Britton agree to three-year contract, source says

After passing on a reunion with David Robertson days earlier, the Yankees  instead chose to bring back another member of their 2018 bullpen by agreeing on a three-year, $39-million deal with Zach Britton, a source confirmed Saturday night. 

Britton, who is represented by Scott Boras, easily eclipsed Robertson’s two-year contract worth $23 million and also has the ability to opt out after Year 2 if the Yankees don’t pick up an additional fourth year ($14 million) after the 2020 season. All told, Britton’s new deal could be worth a total of $53 million. ESPN’s Jeff Passan was the first to report the contract details.

The Yankees had zeroed in on Britton during the past week and intensified their efforts after closing on Troy Tulowitzki’s deal Friday morning. Next up could be Adam Ottavino as Brian Cashman continues methodically checking off boxes from his winter to-do list.

“We were slowly addressing all aspects of our roster that are obvious needs,” Cashman said Friday during a conference call to announce the Tulowitzki signing. “That doesn’t preclude us from looking and exploring upgrades in places that we have existing players regardless because that’s the job at hand.”

Clearly, the Yankees aren’t waiting for any resolution on Manny Machado’s decision, as Cashman moved quickly to ink Tulowitzi as Didi Gregorius’ replacement and then wrapped up Britton with a sizable check. There was some question as to just how far Britton had made it back from the Achilles tendon surgery that delayed the start to his 2018 season, but evidently the Yankees were satisfied after his second-half audition in the Bronx.

Britton had a 2.88 ERA in 25 appearances after his July 24 trade from the Orioles, and just as importantly, seemed equipped to handle the new experience in pinstripes. The Yankees like the fact that Britton has pitched all eight years in the American League East, and that familiarity pretty much removes what typically is a huge question mark for free agents coming to the Bronx.

As of now, Britton lines up to create a formidable back end of the bullpen with Aroldis Chapman and Dellin Betances, but given the Yankees’ penchant for relief overkill, signing Ottavino is likely on their radar, too -- especially with few boxes left to check. On Friday, Cashman said he was satisfied with his everyday lineup as it is currently constructed, but didn’t rule out making some additional upgrades if the opportunity presented itself.

To this point, the Yankees have filled their intended holes this offseason. Cashman fortified the rotation by trading for James Paxton along with signing back both CC Sabathia and J.A. Happ. Despite a Bronx sitdown with Machado before Christmas, Cashman pivoted to a low-cost, high-potential reclamation project in Tulowitzki and pencilled him in to be the Yankees’ Opening Day shortstop.

The bullpen was the most significant area left on Cashman’s agenda, and with Roberston bolting to the Phillies -- seemingly with little interest from the Yankees -- Britton was the obvious choice left to take his spot for 2019. The feeling is that a full offseason of his regular workout regime should further help Britton return to his previously dominant, pre-surgery self.

Whether it’s posturing or not, Cashman appears confident in his strategy to improve the Yankees, even if that doesn’t include getting Machado in pinstripes. On Friday, the GM alluded to going about his business with an eye on payroll, but the Yankees still haven’t laid out a ton of cash. They got Happ on a two-year deal worth $34 million, and Tulowitzki is only costing the MLB minimum of $550,000. Even with Britton’s $39 million, that seems to leave room for another upgrade or two. It’s just a matter of how big Cashman is willing to go for those additional pieces. 

By David Lennon

dave.lennon@newsday.comDPLennon

David Lennon is an award-winning columnist, a voter for baseball's Hall of Fame and has covered six no-hitters, including two perfect games.