The Rangers sign free agent P John Wetteland to a four-year contract worth $23 million

On December 16, 1996 — The Texas Rangers sign free agent Pitcher John Wetteland to a four-year contract worth $23 million. Wetteland who had 43 saves for the Yankees this year was unable to come to terms with the Yankees. The 29 year-old right-handed reliever, who saved all four victories in the Fall Classic against Atlanta Braves , became expendable in New York with the emergence of Mariano Rivera, the team’s nearly-perfect setup man.

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