Yanks sign Matt Thornton to two-year deal

The Yankees have signed left-handed reliever Matt Thornton to a two-year, $7 million deal, reports YES Network's Jack Curry. The agreement is pending a physical.

Thornton will like take over as the late-inning, left-handed reliever for the Yanks next season, replacing Boone Logan, who signed a three-year deal with the Colorado Rockies last week. He'll also be able to team up with David Robertson late in the game to help ease the transition into the post-Rivera era.

Thornton made a combined 60 appearance with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox last season, posting a 3.74 ERA in 41.1 innings. He's got a 9.2 strikeout/walk ratio over 10 major league seasons. He turned 37-years-old in September, and has been very durable throughout his career.

The Yankees have been looking at bullpen arms throughout the offseason, with there being quite a turnover in the bullpen. After Mariano Rivera retired, Logan and Joba Chamberlain both found new homes this winter.

Before signing Thornton, it was looking like Cesar Cabral would be one of the top candidate to take over the lefty-specialist role in Spring Training, but now the Yanks can let him develop a little more. Should he shine during the spring, it would only give the Yanks another valuable bullpen piece.

The Yankees' 40-man roster is currently full, so the team will have to clear room for both Thornton and Brian Roberts, who was signed to a one-year deal earlier in the day. The Yanks also still have to officially announce the signing of Carlos Beltran, so that would require a third roster move.

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