J.A. Happ is still a New York Yankee, for at least two more years. The 36-year old left-hander stands to make $51 million if his third season vests, and he’s guaranteed $17 million each of the next two seasons. This means he’s got to be worth about two wins a season to break even, and any more than that would give the Yankees a decent level of surplus value.
On the whole, I’m mostly fine with this deal. It’s the kind of contract you sign for a starter towards the back of your rotation, one who adds depth and can be expected to eat innings – Happ’s averaged 170 innings per season over the last four years, and that includes an injury-hampered 2017.