NEW YORK — The New York Yankees, who already own baseball's highest payroll, reportedly have won the sweepstakes to sign Cuban defector Orlando Hernandez.

ESPN Radio is reporting that the Yankees signed the 28-year-old Hernandez to a four-year, $6.6 million contract. The move comes after the team was unable to reach agreement on multi-year deals with shortstop Derek Jeter and closer Mariano Rivera, instead renewing their contracts.

Hernandez is the older half-brother of Florida Marlins right-hander Livan Hernandez, the 1997 World Series Most Valuable Player. The elder Hernandez was among eight individuals attempting to reach the United States from Cuba in a small boat last December.

Because he did not make it to the United States, Orlando Hernandez was not subject to the amateur draft and became a free agent able to sign with any major-league club. Since defecting, he was granted citizenship in Costa Rica and was courted by several teams, including the Anaheim Angels and Marlins.

Orlando Hernandez was suspended from baseball by the Cuban government for allegedly working with sports agents who helped other players defect. He was left off the team that won the gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

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