Zimmermann becomes first pitcher to get $100M-plus after Tommy John
Jordan Zimmermann has become the first pitcher to sign a $100-plus million contract after having Tommy John surgery.
By
Mike Axisa
•
1 min read
The first significant free agent deal of the offseason was struck Sunday. The Tigers agreed to a deal with right-hander Jordan Zimmermann, CBS Sports MLB Insider Jon Heyman reports, and the contract is historic.
The deal is worth $110 million across five years, according to Heyman. That makes Zimmermann the first pitcher in history to sign a $100-plus million contract after having Tommy John surgery earlier in his career. He had his elbow rebuild in August 2009.
Adam Wainwright held the previous record for the largest contract given to a pitcher post-Tommy John surgery. He signed a five-year extension worth $97.5 million with the Cardinals in March 2013 after missing the entire 2011 season due to elbow reconstruction.
It's important to note Zimmermann is the first pitcher to get $100-plus million after Tommy John surgery, but not the first player. Shin-Soo Choo, an outfielder, signed a seven-year, $130 million contract with the Rangers two years ago after having the procedure earlier in his career.
Earlier this year John Smoltz became the first pitcher inducted into the Hall of Fame after having Tommy John surgery, though Paul Molitor was the first player to make it into Cooperstown post-elbow reconstruction. Obviously Tommy John surgery carries more risk for pitchers than position players.
Stephen Strasburg, Zimmermann's former teammate with the Nationals, will be eligible for free agency next offseason. He's in line to become the second pitcher to sign a $100+ million deal following Tommy John surgery.
