The Yankees officially signed outfielder Randy Winn to a one-year, $1.1MM deal today. He can earn another $900K in incentives. Joel Sherman of the New York Post first reported the agreement on January 27th, with SI's Jon Heyman tweeting the contract value. The Winn signing definitively closed the door on Johnny Damon, tweets Sherman.
Winn, 35, slipped to .262/.318/.353 in 597 plate appearances for the Giants last year (including a brutal 125 PAs against lefties). His corner outfield defense still rates well; that was probably the draw for Yankees GM Brian Cashman.
The Yankees signed Marcus Thames, tweets SI's Jon Heyman. Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweets that it's a minor league deal worth $900K if he makes the team. Thames originally came up through the Yankees' system but was traded to the Rangers in '03 for Ruben Sierra.
Thames, 33 in March, hit .252/.323/.453 in 294 plate appearances for the Tigers last year, logging 125 innings in left field. He also has experience in right field and at first base in his career. He's a right-handed hitter with a .263/.326/.541 line against southpaws over the last three years.
Thames became a free agent in November, as the Tigers were not going to tender him a contract at a salary higher than 2009's $2.275MM.
The Padres will dedicate the 40th Little Padres Park this afternoon in La Mesa. The field, home of the Rolando Little League, has been refurbished as part of the Padres Foundation's commitment to ensure the youth of San Diego and...
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Brian Cashman said he had $2 million to spend on a leftfielder and it looks like he will do that one way or another. The report came out today that Winn's contract is only for $1.1 M and with the $900,000 Thames will get if he makes the Major Leagues, that makes $2 M. But if Thames doesn't make ...
elgato83 posted 2 hours ago from nyat.net
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Chicago White Sox unretire Luis Aparacio's No. 11 so Omar Vizquel can wear it.
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So far this offseason the Yankees have reacquired Nick Johnson and Javier Vazquez, two players they had previously traded away. Now, according to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated, they have added another former Yankee, outfielder Marcus Thames.
For weeks, rumors persisted that the Yankees were looking to add one more right handed hitting outfielder on a minor league contract, and it looks like they got their man in Thames. There is no word as to whether or not Thames got a minor league or a guaranteed major league contract yet, but you can probably assume this is of the minor league variety.
In 258 at bats last season, Thames had a 99 OPS+ including a .323 OBP and a .453 slugging percentage. Against lefties, he struck out much less and walked more often although his batting average and slugging percentage were similar.
Some people are sure to be upset that the Yankees went after Thames instead of two other options, Rocco Baldelli and Jonny Gomes. There are strikes against each of the other two though. Baldelli is a good hitter and probably the best defensively out of the three, but is almost certain to be on the DL at some point in 2010, and if that point comes down the stretch, he wouldn’t have been much help to the Yankees. Also, Gomes is probably the best hitter of the three, but a terrible defender. Thames is in the middle of the two. He is not the best hitter of the group, but not the worst defender either.
If it is true that Thames was signed to a minor league contract, then it is not guaranteed that he will start the season with the Yankees. He will likely compete against Jamie Hoffmann, who the Yankees got in the "Rule 5" draft, as well as some other candidates like Colin Curtis and David Winfree. Curtis and Winfree are longshots, but they could make the team with a very impressive spring or if injuries occur.
Thames was originally traded in the middle of 2003 for Ruben Sierra.
Update: Via Jon Heyman we find out that Thames is going to make $900,000 plus incentives and Randy Winn signed for $1.1 million base plus incentives. There is your $2 million that Cashman had to spend.
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Mookie Wilson is rejoining the Mets as the minor league outfield and base running coordinator and Bob Melvin is joining as a pro scout. Both men have major league coaching experience. Additionally, both men have been managers (Wilson managed the Brooklyn Cyclones in 2005 and Melvin managed the ...
golddave posted 3 hours ago from mostlymets.golddave.com
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Loader Twitter.com Login Join Twitter! #Yankees sign Marcus Thames to minor league deal, gets $900,000 if makes team. good job @ SI_JonHeyman on initial report 38 minutes ago from web nyp_joelsherman Joel Sherman Footer 2010 Twitter About Us Contact Blog Status Goodies API Business Help ...
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