Free-Agent Ward Signs Contract With Yankees

Gary Ward became the first major free agent to switch teams this year when the former Texas Ranger outfielder signed a multiyear contract Wednesday with the New York Yankees.

The details of Ward’s contract were not disclosed, but published reports said he received a two-year deal with a base salary of at least $500,000 and incentives that could bring his salary to $865,000, the amount he received last season with the Rangers. His contract also reportedly contains an option year for 1989.

Ward, 33, rejected a three-year, $2.475-million offer from Texas a year ago and was offered only $550,000 for one year to sign this fall with the Rangers.

Ward filed for free agency instead, and when the Rangers refused to agree to salary arbitration, they became ineligible to sign him before May 1, presumably opening the way for other teams to make offers.

Minnesota, where Ward began his major league career, reportedly expressed an interest, as did Milwaukee, Detroit, Kansas City, the Chicago White Sox and Oakland. But none was willing to offer more than $500,000 or more than one year, it was reported.

Why did he sign with New York?

“Everybody likes to play for New York,” he said. “And they had what I asked for.”

Ward has played six full seasons in the major leagues, three each with Minnesota and Texas.

Between 1982 and 1985, he played at least 150 games each season. His best season was 1982, when he hit .289 with 28 home runs and 91 runs batted in for the Twins.

This year, he hit a career-high .316 with 5 homers and 51 RBIs for the Rangers, but he played in only 105 games. He missed time because of a serious ear operation on his daughter, the delivery of a stillborn child by his wife and the death of his father. He missed the final month of the season because of intestinal surgery.

“I project him as a designated hitter,” Yankee Manager Lou Piniella said, “but he’s also a capable outfielder, and I intend to utilize him in both roles in 1987.”