CHICAGO, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Jon Lieber, who could miss the entire 2003 season following surgery, reportedly has agreed to terms on a two-year contract with the New York Yankees.
Lieber is a one-time 20-game winner,
ESPN Radio 1000 in Chicago reported Wednesday that the 32-year-old righthander has agreed to a two-year, $4 million contract with an $8 million club option for 2005.
According to the report, Lieber already has passed the physical, and the deal could be announced as soon as Thursday.
Lieber will miss at least the first half of the 2003 season after undergoing reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in August. The Yankees are banking that the veteran will be completely healthy by the start of the 2004 season, giving them another option in a talented and deep rotation.
Lieber, the Cubs' Opening Day starter in 2002, was victimized by poor run support for most of the year. He was just 6-8 with a 3.70 ERA in 21 starts.
In 2001, Lieber went 20-6 with a 3.80 ERA, and finished fourth in voting for the National League Cy Young Award. He has a career record of 86-83 with a 4.18 ERA in 272 games.
