New York Yankees: Why Brennan Boesch Signing Is Good Move for Bombers in 2013
March 16, 2013 · Doug Rush · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
On Friday, the New York Yankees made another move to their roster for 2013.
After being released by the Detroit Tigers, the Yankees signed outfielder Brennan Boesch, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports and WFAN:
Boesch deal with yanks is major league deal
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) March 15, 2013
Joel Sherman of the New York Post confirmed that Boesch‘s deal with the Yankees is a one-year, $1.5 million major league deal:
Can confirm @jonheymancbs report #yankees sign Brennan Boesch to $1.5M major lge deal
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) March 15, 2013
The 27-year-old Boesch will likely be the fourth outfielder for the Yankees, as he can play both left and right field, be a left-handed pinch hitter and serve as a defensive replacement when needed.
Adding Boesch is a good move for the Yankees to make for the 2013 roster.
Boesch is a better overall bat than Ben Francisco and Matt Diaz, the other two guys in camp on minor league deals looking for the fourth outfield spot.
With Boesch now in the fold, it could force a competition between Francisco and Diaz to battle it out for the fifth outfield spot, which would be good anyway because the Yankees need a right-handed bat off the bench from the outfield.
The entire Yankees starting outfield of Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson (when he returns from injury) and Ichiro Suzuki are all lefty hitters, and now, so is Boesch too.
In 2012, Boesch hit .240 with 12 home runs and 54 RBI in 132 games with Detroit, which are typical numbers for his career except for his batting average.
By playing in Yankee Stadium, he could see his power numbers go up a little because of the short porch in right field that lefty hitters always tend to aim for.
The one thing the Yankees lacked in 2013 was veteran depth off the bench, especially with the departures of Raul Ibanez, Andruw Jones and Eric Chavez all to free agency, plus right fielder Nick Swisher.
Before Boesch, it was Diaz and Juan Rivera battling it out for that fourth outfield spot, but due to Mark Teixeira’s injury, Rivera has shifted to playing first base during spring training and could be the team’s first baseman for the first two months of the season.
For the first month of the season, there’s a decent chance that the Yankees could even use Boesch in a platoon role with Francisco in left field while Granderson recovers from a broken forearm.
The signing isn’t a flashy one, but it’s a solid roster move, and I think Boesch can do some great things for the Yankees in 2013.
Stay tuned, Yankees Universe.
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