NEW YORK, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Banking on future returns, the New York Yankees Friday signed righthander Jon Lieber, a one-time 20-game winner who could miss the entire 2003 season following elbow surgery.
Lieber signed a two-year contract with a club option for a third season.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but one report said he had agreed to a two-year, $4 million contract with an $8 million club option for 2005.
Lieber will miss at least the first half of the upcoming 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 with Roger Clemens and David Wells nearing the ends of their careers.
The Cubs' Opening Day starter in 2002, Lieber was victimized by poor run support for most of the year and 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.
