Matt Diaz maybe the New York Yankees starting right fielder next season...if there's a left-hander on the mound. The NY Daily News' Mark Feinsand reported the Yankees agreed to a minor league deal and an invation to spring training with the former Atlanta Brave.
With Ichiro Suzuki signed, the Yankees had been in search for someone to face left-handed pitchers. Diaz can make $1.2MM if he goes north with the team out of spring training, and has incentives for another $800K. Diaz could also see at-bats for Brett Gardner and Curtis Granderson against some left-handers.
After playing for Tampa Bay and Kansas City, Diaz, except for a brief period of 2011, was a member of the Braves organization since 2006. Diaz, who will turn 35 in March had his best season in 2009 when he received semi-regular at-bats. He hit .313 with 13 HR and 58 RBI, and had an .878 OPS in 125 games.
Diaz signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates a free agent prior to the 2011 season, but was dealt back to Atlanta on the final day of August for a minor leaguer.
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bonehead..diaz would only bat for gardner..not for the hall of famer ichiro...he can hit...diaz and gardner together cant lick ichiro's shoes
ReplyDeleteLove to be insulted by someone who doesn't have the balls to put their name. And yes, he will bat for Ichiro too. The dude will be 39 soon, he can't play as much.
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