NEW YORK, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- The New York Mets announced Thursday night star pitcher Tom Glavine had agreed to contract terms and that he would be signed once he passes a physical on Monday.
Major League Baseball's web site said the deal is for three years and $34 million with a fourth-year option.
Glavine, who turns 36 in March, also was being wooed by the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves, with whom he spent his first 16 seasons.
Instead, he joins the National League East rival Mets, who will insert the two-time Cy Young Award winner as the ace of their rotation. New York owner Fred Wilpon personally courted Glavine, an eight-time All-Star and five-time 20-game winner.
Glavine was 18-11 with a 2.96 ERA in 36 starts last season. But he struggled after the All-Star break at 7-7 with a 3.93 ERA and surrendered 13 runs and 17 hits over 7 2/3 innings in two starts in the NL Division Series against San Francisco.
While Glavine has not had a losing season since 1990, the fourth year of the contract was the sticking point. He has pitched at least 219 innings in each of the last seven years and will be 40 by the time the option kicks in.
A Massachusetts native who also was drafted by the National Hockey League's Los Angeles Kings, Glavine has a 242-143 career mark with a 3.37 ERA.
When the Braves captured the World Series in 1995, Glavine beat the Cleveland Indians in the clincher in Game 6, allowing one hit over eight innings in a 1-0 blanking. But he is the losingest pitcher in postseason history with a 12-15 record.
The Mets will be happy just to reach the postseason after finishing last in the NL East, 26 1/2 games behind Atlanta. Despite owning one of baseball's highest payrolls, they were 75-86 and fired manager Bobby Valentine.
In the offseason, New York watched the Phillies bolster their lineup by signing free agents Jim Thome and David Bell. While Thome was the most prized hitter in this year's free agent class, Glavine was one of the most sought-after pitchers along with former Braves teammate Greg Maddux.
