Red Sox, Garret Richards finalize 1-year, $10M contract

BOSTON (AP) — Right-hander Garrett Richards and the Boston Red Sox finalized a $10 million, one-year contract on Wednesday.

Richards has an $8.5 million salary this year, and the deal includes a $10 million option for 2022 with a $1.5 million buyout. The 2022 price could escalate depending on 2021 performance.

To make room for him on the 40-man roster, Boston designated right-hander Joel Payamps for assignment.

Richards is 47-41 with a 3.62 ERA in 10 seasons with the Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres. After Tommy John surgery in 2018, he missed most of the '19 season, then went 2-2 with a 4.03 ERA last year.

Payamps, 26, had a 3.86 ERA while making four appearances for the Diamondbacks over the past two seasons. He had been claimed on waivers this offseason.