***BREAKING NEWS*** Galvez, McCormick Given 50+ Million Reasons to Play Baseball

By KYLE KEOUGH
DOUBLE DAY DAILY

Earlier today, Pedro Galvez became the last of the expected big-money free agents to sign with a team.

Joining him was young Todd McCormick, who became one of the unlikely winners of free agency.

Galvez signed a 5-year, $52 million deal with the Cleveland Cubs today, which includes a $2 million signing bonus. The 30-year-old Galvez was one of the most sought-after free agent hitters this season, and he reaped the rewards of the demand for quality centerfielders.

Galvez, a lifetime .303 hitter and a three-time All-Star, saw limited action in Albuquerque this year before being jettisoned off to free agency. Galvez will now join free-agent pickup Brandon Stairs as part of Cleveland's new-look offense. The deal also makes Galvez the most expensive pickup of any offensive player this offseason, ranking just ahead of Barry Broadhurst and his $50 million contract.

There was much buzz about 25-year-old Todd McCormick entering free agency, though the amount of money handed over to a pitcher with a lifetime 20-46 ML record could not be anticipated. There were whispers early on that McCormick's contract would greatly exceed any and all prognostications. In a backloaded contract, McCormick will make $7 million in seasons five and six, followed by a doubled pay-raise to an annual salary of $14 million for seasons seven, eight, and nine.

All told, McCormick's contract could be worth up to $56 million over 5 seasons, which would make him the third-highest paid player in this free agency, behind only Tom Lofton and Rafael Mercado.

The young Honolulu native is consider by scouts to be a good potential starting pitcher. He'll have his chance to earn his keep when he joins the Monterrey Gray Ghosts, the franchise that posted the winning bid.