Landers sign veteran pitcher Ivan Nova on $1-million contract

Ivan Nova is photographed signing his contract in a photo released by the SSG Landers. [SSG LANDERS]

The SSG Landers announced Tuesday that they have acquired former major league pitcher Ivan Nova on a one-year deal worth up to $1 million.

The 34-year-old right-hander will earn $750,000 in guaranteed salary with a $150,000 signing bonus and $100,000 in incentives.

Nova, who is from the Dominican Republic, joined the New York Yankees as an international free agent in 2004. After years in the minors, he briefly joined the San Diego Padres through the Rule 5 draft before being sent back to the Yankees, where he eventually made his big league debut in 2010.

Nova was a big part of the Yankees rotation in 2011 and in 2013 he earned American League Pitcher of the Month recognition. In 2016, Nova moved to the Pittsburgh Pirates where he also earned National League Pitcher of the Month honors. At the end of the 2018 season, Nova was transferred to the Chicago White Sox, where he again became a regular part of the rotation.

Nova briefly appeared with the Detroit Tigers in the 2020 season before signing a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies this year. He left the Phillies before the season had even started, joining the Colorado Rockies on a minor league deal instead. He was released by the Rockies in April this year.

Although his star has started to wane in recent years, the Landers credited Nova's significant experience in the majors as their main reason for recruiting him. In 240 MLB appearances over 11 years, Nova has a 4.38 career ERA with 90 wins and 77 losses.

"I'm happy to be able to join a good club, and I'm grateful for the chance to take on the challenge of a new league," Nova said after signing the contract, according to SSG. "I want to meet the coach, coaching staff and team members as soon as possible, and I want to show a good performance to Korean fans and contribute to SSG winning next season."

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]