Bear
07-17-2008, 02:24 PM
BY BILL MADDEN AND ANTHONY MCCARRON
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITERS
July 17th 2008
Seeking to address their weakness against left-handed pitching, the Yankees have signed free agent first baseman Richie Sexson for the rest of the season, according to a baseball source with knowledge of the deal.
Sexson, a right-handed hitter, likely will be in the Yankee lineup Saturday when they face Oakland southpaw Greg Smith.
Sexson, who was released by the Mariners July 10, cleared waivers. He was holding out for a team that would let him play every day, but found none, so he signed with the Yankees to play first against lefties while Jason Giambi starts against righties. Sexson, who is due $14 million from the Mariners this season, will make the pro-rated minimum - about $150,000 - from the Yankees.
Sexson hit .344 with five home runs in 61 at-bats against lefties before his release. Overall, he has 11 home runs and 30 RBI, but his .218 batting average at the time of his release was the lowest in the majors among regulars. He has a .315 on-base percentage.
The 33-year-old Sexson, who stands 6-8, is a two-time All Star (2002 and 2003 with Milwaukee). He hit 45 home runs for the Brewers in both 2001 and 2003 and has reached the 30-homer mark six times in his career. He also has six seasons of 100 or more RBI.
He signed a four-year, $50 million contract with Seattle before the 2005 season and had 39 homers and 121 RBI the first season and 34 and 107 the next. But he fizzled last year, batting .205 with 21 homers and 63 RBI and was jettisoned by the awful Mariners this year.
The Yankees are currently hitting .257 against left-handed pitchers, 19th in the major leagues. They are 15-15 in games started by left-handers this year.
I really wish the Giants had signed Sexton. Oh well, I guess this puts Bonds signing with the Yanks on the back burner.
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITERS
July 17th 2008
Seeking to address their weakness against left-handed pitching, the Yankees have signed free agent first baseman Richie Sexson for the rest of the season, according to a baseball source with knowledge of the deal.
Sexson, a right-handed hitter, likely will be in the Yankee lineup Saturday when they face Oakland southpaw Greg Smith.
Sexson, who was released by the Mariners July 10, cleared waivers. He was holding out for a team that would let him play every day, but found none, so he signed with the Yankees to play first against lefties while Jason Giambi starts against righties. Sexson, who is due $14 million from the Mariners this season, will make the pro-rated minimum - about $150,000 - from the Yankees.
Sexson hit .344 with five home runs in 61 at-bats against lefties before his release. Overall, he has 11 home runs and 30 RBI, but his .218 batting average at the time of his release was the lowest in the majors among regulars. He has a .315 on-base percentage.
The 33-year-old Sexson, who stands 6-8, is a two-time All Star (2002 and 2003 with Milwaukee). He hit 45 home runs for the Brewers in both 2001 and 2003 and has reached the 30-homer mark six times in his career. He also has six seasons of 100 or more RBI.
He signed a four-year, $50 million contract with Seattle before the 2005 season and had 39 homers and 121 RBI the first season and 34 and 107 the next. But he fizzled last year, batting .205 with 21 homers and 63 RBI and was jettisoned by the awful Mariners this year.
The Yankees are currently hitting .257 against left-handed pitchers, 19th in the major leagues. They are 15-15 in games started by left-handers this year.
I really wish the Giants had signed Sexton. Oh well, I guess this puts Bonds signing with the Yanks on the back burner.