The Yankees have signed outfielder Matt Diaz to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, CBSSports.com insider Jon Heyman reported Wednesday.
Diaz, 34, will have a chance to join a Yankees outfield flush with left-handed batters in Curtis Granderson, Ichiro Suzuki and Brett Gardner. However, Diaz is coming off one of his worst seasons as a hitter to date -- in 51 games, he hit just .222/.280/.333 (65 OPS+) in 118 plate appearances.
Diaz's opportunity with the Yankees comes down to his ability to hit left-handed pitching. Even last year he managed a .269/.329/.410 (96 OPS+) in the split; he owns a .324/.364/.498 line against southpaws for his career. With the Yankees fielding an outfield of all left-handed bats, the club needs a right-handed outfielder to take some of the burden against left-handed starters and specialists -- much like Andruw Jones did in his time as a Yankee.
His limitations -- a horrible .258/.314/.362 line against the vast majority that is right-handed pitching, a mediocre glove even in a corner outfield spot, and his age -- leave Diaz with a minor-league contract rather than a guaranteed roster spot.
The Yankees may find another right-handed bench bat between now and spring training, but Diaz gives the organization cheap depth in case the market for similar players (like Scott Hairston, Carlos Lee, Delmon Young and that ilk) clears between now and spring.
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