Yankees pay $389,000 for Sex

[VinnyTheMick]

Richie Sexson, that is.

The New York Yankees have reached a tentative agreement with Richie Sexson, who was released by the Seattle Mariners a week ago.

Sexson fits in New York because the Yankees needed a right-handed slugger to match up against left-handed pitching -- and Sexson had a .344 average against lefties this year.

Yet another in a long list of scrap heap signings from Brian Cashman the past few seasons.


WORLD SERIES HERE WE COME!

[HCYanks]

As the article suggested, the whole basis for signing him is the only thing he's doing at all well this year is hitting lefties. What it doesn't tell you is that it's only over 60-something at-bats and that his career lefty splits aren't anywhere near as dramatic.

But this is somehow a better idea than signing Bonds, who's apparently a bad signing because he'll draw the attention of the media vultures who are already lining up to harass ARod anyway.

[PR07]

It's worth the risk. At worst, he bombs like Shelley Duncan, and we waive him.

While I don't think he's as good against lefties as his splits indicate this season, I think he's better than Betemit, Posada, or Giambi against lefties @ 1B because he's also a pretty good fielder.

[Pharmcat]

much rather get bonds

[PhilipNelsonFan]

because he's also a pretty good fielder.

No. He's really not. He can't get to a ground ball unless it's directly at him. I have an irrational hatred of Jason Giambi, but there is no way any aspect of Sexson outside of pure size places him ahead of Giambi under any basis of comparison.

[bishnykfan]

Sexson is a good defender from everything that I've heard and read. I've never watched him on a day to day basis, but I don't see any problem with this move at all. Our lineup needed a jolt and although Sexson is obviously not a long term solution, I like the idea of giving him a try.

There is still two weeks until the deadline, if he bombs in two weeks you can cut him and try and acquire a Holliday (unlikely) or Bay/Nady. Why not see if he can help our lineup against lefties first considering we gave up nothing to get him. Plus, now with Matsui out and Damon not coming back as soon as we would like, the only players who will be affected playing time wise with this move is Betemit and Molina. Game on the line I'd rather have Sexson up then Betemit especially against a lefty.

[VinnyTheMick]

Sexson is a good defender from everything that I've heard and read. I've never watched him on a day to day basis, but I don't see any problem with this move at all. Our lineup needed a jolt and although Sexson is obviously not a long term solution, I like the idea of giving him a try.

There is still two weeks until the deadline, if he bombs in two weeks you can cut him and try and acquire a Holliday (unlikely) or Bay/Nady. Why not see if he can help our lineup against lefties first considering we gave up nothing to get him. Plus, now with Matsui out and Damon not coming back as soon as we would like, the only players who will be affected playing time wise with this move is Betemit and Molina. Game on the line I'd rather have Sexson up then Betemit especially against a lefty.

There's no risk, I just don't think it will in any way significant improvement for the team. He's killed lefties in a small sample this year, but was mediocre in 06 and 07 against them.

[HCYanks]

His career splits against LHP are a little better than against RHP... but there's not enough of a difference to justify his '08 splits as being more than a fluke. And he's taken such a nosedive as a hitter overall that even as a pinch hitter against lefties I doubt he'll be very productive. As a lateral move signing it doesn't bother me but it makes no sense when Bonds can actually improve the team.

[cmaff051]

So we sign this bum while Barry Bonds is still waiting for a phone call?'

My prediction is that he is released by the middle of August.

[bishnykfan]

First AB, first and second two outs...

[bishnykfan]

RBI single to tie the game... good pickup Cash!!

[moocow007]

I haven't been this excited since Dave Kingman donned a Yankee uniform.