Truth & Rumors > MLB

Why Yankees signed Sexson

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The Yanks are willing to pay the roughly $161,000 pro-rated minimum to see if Richie Sexson can help with their deficiency against lefty pitching. Sexson was so miserable for the Mariners that they cut him despite being on the hook for all but that pro-rated minimum of his $14 million deal this season. But Sexson did hit .344 against lefty pitching this season with five homers in 61 at- bats. In the AL, only Texas' Milton Bradley (1.186) and Boston's Kevin Youkilis (1.061) had a higher OPS vs. lefty pitching (minimum 50 plate appearances) than Sexson's 1.045. So the Yanks with their susceptibility to southpaws decided to take a flyer. The Yanks envision Sexson starting against lefties - likely beginning with tomorrow against Oakland southpaw Greg Smith. If Sexson handles the role well, it would not be surprising if he became the regular first baseman against lefties, with Jason Giambi going to the bench and Jorge Posada as the DH. Perhaps just as important, Sexson provides a righty alternative off the bench late in games.

New York Post

Richie Sexson, Chris McGrath/Getty Images Richie Sexson, Chris McGrath/Getty Images
Comment has been removed
July 18, 2008  05:28 AM ET

Another has been for New York to hate.

July 18, 2008  05:51 AM ET

The risk is so minimum, thats what Arod makes in one inning (almost).

July 18, 2008  07:10 AM ET

hit or miss worth a shot. The lefty issue has been a problem for the lineup. Now start looking at Starting pitching or bullpen lefties.

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July 18, 2008  07:42 AM ET

yea this is a no lose situation for the yanks. this is the kinda of signing that will look great if he does well but won't really matter if he doesn't pan out

July 18, 2008  08:02 AM ET

This was SUCH a no-brainer. They get him nearly for free, and he adds a .344 power bat into the line-up against lefties. If he ends up sucking, no loss.

I mean, DUH.

July 18, 2008  08:30 AM ET

Guess it couldn't hurt.

July 18, 2008  09:05 AM ET

The lack of traffic on this post makes me think even the haters know it was a good idea.

July 18, 2008  09:17 AM ET

I am all for this move for several reasons.

1 - He's salary is so low they won't have to raise the ticket prices to pay for it. The Yankees can find that in the cushions of the couch in the break room.
2 - He's a good ball player
3 - I have him in my fantasy league. Him being out of baseball hurts.

July 18, 2008  09:20 AM ET

It will be great to see him go on a tear. When even Ichiro isn't hitting you know there must be something going wrong in Seattle. The change of scenery might be a blessing. I hope so!

July 18, 2008  09:23 AM ET

hopefully he will he will like it in NY and he will get his game back to were it once was, he was good. i don't know that i could play in Seattle and like it, fish and coffee, that smell would make me suck too LOL LOL

July 18, 2008  09:33 AM ET

I was against this at first but their paying him peanuts. They do need some power in that lineup and this guy has hit lefties in the past. If it doesn't work out then no big whoop. this is no different that the Sox signing colon (and I was all negative about that one)

July 18, 2008  09:37 AM ET

Richie will strike out more time in one week than Barry would in the rest of the season. Signing Richie over Barry is a mistake. Someone need the gonads to sign Barry.

July 18, 2008  09:54 AM ET

I don't think he is going to help.
But for the price I would roll the dice on him. Maybe he has some dramatic turn around, maybe.
Cheap enough in baseball terms.

July 18, 2008  09:55 AM ET

B*nds, no.

July 18, 2008  10:06 AM ET

allstars...my take is if this guy has any pride he will do better. getting released and then signed for $300k? that has to be a huge reality check.

July 18, 2008  10:25 AM ET

One Word..desperation..better of begging Torre to come back..without him, NO Chance

July 18, 2008  10:46 AM ET

desperation is hiring a guy to the league minimum, giving up nothing and seeing what the guys got? No.
Desperation is having nothing better to post but that this inconsequential move looks like desperation to you, that is reaching, that is desperate.
---------------------
Yeah DUM DUM, maybe.

 
July 18, 2008  11:22 AM ET

Guys, this is a no-lose situation for the Yankees.

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