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1/10/2014 04:18:00 PM
Gavin Ewbank
It's been several weeks since the Yankees and Matt Thornton agreed to terms on a two-year, $7 million contract. They finally announced the deal Friday shortly after designating Vernon Wells for assignment to make room for Thornton on the 40-man roster.
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 this winter. 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. After Mariano Rivera retired, both Logan and Joba Chamberlain both found new homes this winter, leaving just Robertson, Shawn Kelley and Preston Claiborne as the only sure-things in Joe Girardi's bullpen.
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.
Follow @GavinEwbank Follow @YanksBeatBlog
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 this winter. 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. After Mariano Rivera retired, both Logan and Joba Chamberlain both found new homes this winter, leaving just Robertson, Shawn Kelley and Preston Claiborne as the only sure-things in Joe Girardi's bullpen.
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.
Follow @GavinEwbank Follow @YanksBeatBlog
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