Astros and Lance McCullers Avoid Arbitration With One-Year Deal
By Michael Luciano
Gerrit Cole might be a New York Yankee, but that doesn't mean that the Houston Astros' rotation will fall apart. Thanks to the likes of Lance McCullers, it'll be one of the best in baseball yet again.
Houston avoided arbitration with McCullers, who didn't pitch in 2019 as he recovered from Tommy John surgery, and settled with him for $4.1 million, which is what he made last season.
RHP Lance McCullers, who missed all of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery, has settled his arbitration case with the #Astros for $4.1M, the same salary he had last season.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 13, 2019
McCullers is slated to be the No. 3 starter behind Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke in the rotation.
The son of former Padres reliever Lance McCullers Sr., McCullers posted a 3.86 ERA in 22 starts the last time we saw him in 2018. McCullers is in possession of one of the deadliest curveballs in all of baseball, and that was sorely missed as the Astros fell to the Washington Nationals in the World Series in seven games.
Astros and Lance McCullers Jr. have agreed to terms on a one-year contract to avoid arbitration. After missing the 2019 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, he’s expected to be healthy and ready to go for the start of spring training.
— Julia Morales (@JuliaMorales) December 13, 2019
If McCullers can return to his old self following his injuries, the Houston Astros could be considered favorites to come out of the American League once again in 2020.