When Boone Logan signed with the Colorado Rockies, General Manager Brian Cashman went on the market for a lefty reliever. According to Jack Curry of the YES Network, the Yankees and Matt Thornton have agreed to a two-year contract worth $7 million. The deal will become official once Thornton passes a physical.
Thornton, 36, appeared in 60 games last season with the White Sox and Red Sox, and went a combined 0-4 with a 3.74 ERA in 43.1 innings. Thornton is known most for his seven plus years in Chicago, where he regularly featured a mid-to-high nineties fastball and was one of the best lefty specialists in baseball. Even though his fastball now sits at around 94, Thornton can still do the job. He held lefties to a line of .235/.267/.370 in 89 plate appearances in ’13.
Unlike Logan, Thornton can’t get righties out with regularity. RHB’s hit .333 against him last season, .254 vs. Logan. Regardless, Thornton’s price tag coupled with his ability to hold lefties at bay should prove to be a good signing.
Yankees have signed lefty reliever Matt Thornton to a 2-year deal. He will make $3.5 million each season.
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) December 17, 2013
