Yankees Sign Free Agent Pitcher Perez : Baseball: Right-hander who has been battling a cocaine problem will reportedly receive $5.1 million.

The New York Yankees, eager to improve their ineffective pitching staff, signed free agent right-hander Pascual Perez to a three-year guaranteed contract today.

The Yankees did not release financial terms of the deal, but Perez reportedly will receive $5.1 million. The average of $1.7 million per year is double the $850,000 Perez earned in 1989.

Perez, 32, was 9-13 with a 3.31 ERA in 33 games this year for the Montreal Expos. In 198 1/3 innings, he walked only 45 while striking out 152.

He has a lifetime record of 64-62 with a 3.48 ERA in six-plus seasons in the major leagues.

Perez was originally signed as a free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates before the 1976 season. After pitching in the Pirates system, he was traded to the Atlanta Braves in 1982 before signing a minor league contract with the Expos before the 1987 season.

Perez has had serious problems off the field.

He spent most of spring training this year in a drug-rehab center in Florida, trying to kick a cocaine habit.

At the time, he reportedly had tried twice before to voluntarily complete a rehab program. But the third time, which he spent at the Palm Beach Institute, came at the request of the Expos and the baseball commissioner’s office.

“In getting Pascual, we are getting a quality pitcher,” said George Bradley, the Yankees vice president of player personnel and development. “He will be one of our top starters.

“We are very aware of his past problems. However, he has been involved in a program with the Expos which has kept him clean, and we will help him to remain with that program.”