Yankees sign Thames to minor league deal
February 8, 2010
NEW YORK (AP)—Marcus Thames(notes) agreed Monday to a minor league contract with theNew York Yankees, who also finalized a $1.1 million, one-year deal with RandyWinn(notes) to give themselves more left field options.
Thames, who turns 33 next month, began his major league career with theYankees in 2002 and homered on his first big league pitch that June 10 offArizona’s Randy Johnson(notes). Thames was traded to Texas in June 2003 for RubenSierra(notes), then let go by the Rangers after the season.
He spent the last six seasons with Detroit and hit .252 with 13 homers and36 RBIs last year, down from 25 homers and 56 RBIs the previous season. He wouldget a $900,000, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster and have thechance to earn an additional $900,000 in performance bonuses.
The right-handed-hitting Thames could find himself alongside center fielderCurtis Granderson(notes), his former Tigers teammate, and complement the switch-hittingWinn, who hit .292 from the left side last year and .158 from the right. Thamesbatted .257 against lefties and .248 vs. righties.
Speedy Brett Gardner(notes) also is in the mix for outfield playing time.
Winn’s $900,000 in performance bonuses are based on plate appearancesagainst left-handed pitchers only. He would get $100,000 each for 50, 75 and100, and $150,000 apiece for 125, 150, 175 and 200.
Winn’s deal, reached Jan. 27 subject to a physical, pretty much eliminatedany chance Johnny Damon(notes) had of returning to the World Series champions.
Winn hit .262 overall with two homers and 51 RBIs for San Francisco lastseason. The 35-year-old was an All-Star in 2002, when he batted .298 with 14homers and 75 RBIs for Tampa Bay.
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