Yankees To Sign Matt Thornton

[Johnnydollaz89]

The Yankees have agreed to terms with left-hander Matt Thornton on a two-year, $7MM contract, according to Jack Curry of the YES Network (on Twitter). Thornton is represented by Diamond Sports Management.
Thornton, 37, pitched to a 3.74 ERA with 6.2 K/9, 3.1 BB/9 and a 50.2 percent ground-ball rate in 43 1/3 innings for the White Sox and Red Sox in 2013. Opposing left-handers hit .235/.267/.370 in 89 plate appearances against Thornton last season. Though Thornton's once-blazing fastball has been in a steady decline since 2010, he still averaged a healthy 94.2 mph on his heater in 2013.
The Yankees were in need of a lefty reliever after losing Boone Logan to free agency. Logan inked a three-year, $16.5MM contract with the Rockies, meaning the Yankees were able to secure his presumable replacement for less than half the price. The Yankees' bullpen will have a new look to it in 2014, with David Robertson currently in line to take the ninth-inning reins from Mariano Rivera and the departures of Logan and Joba Chamberlain.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has been heavily active on the free agent market, signing Jacoby Ellsbury and Brian McCann to mammoth contracts, re-signing Hiroki Kuroda and also adding veterans like Thornton, Kelly Johnson, Brian Roberts and Brendan Ryan to low-cost contracts.

MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

Now this is a good signing, ground-ball pitcher.

 

[Nyfan1980]

Not as good as he used to be, but still a effective LHP, which is what we needed. Still need to get another end game RP to combine with Robertson.

Girardi is usually pretty good at working his bullpen.

 

[redseat]

Ehh he wasn't anything special with the Red Sox...


Which means he will be tremendous with the Yankees

 

[navamind]

Ehh he wasn't anything special with the Red Sox...


Which means he will be tremendous with the Yankees

A year ago, I would have said the same thing. But there was no crazy comeback in 2013 for Hafner, Wells, Youkilis, or even Ichiro!.

 

[navamind]

His strikeout rate's dropped from 12.0 in 2010 all the way down to 6.2 in 2013. That's a very worrisome drop off. He was very good in 2008-10 (had a 169 ERA+ and 1.03 WHIP in 200.1 IP), when he had a K/9 of 10+ in each of those three seasons.

 

[redseat]

His strikeout rate's dropped from 12.0 in 2010 all the way down to 6.2 in 2013. That's a very worrisome drop off. He was very good in 2008-10 (had a 169 ERA+ and 1.03 WHIP in 200.1 IP), when he had a K/9 of 10+ in each of those three seasons.

Yeah that is worriesome that's for sure. I just think that he wasn't comfortable in Boston (not sure why) and as a result (I know NY is a very tough market) I think he will perform in NY. Hope I'm wrong

 

[steveringo]

I'm sorry. This contract made me lol...

A White Sox cast-off & Red Sox cast off gets a two year deal? Boston only picked him up as insurance when their relievers were dropping like flies. (And they made Chicago throw in some cash)... And, he basically sucked. (Although six out of his 20 appearances were ok and in 4 of them he actually got more than one out without giving up a hit. So, 4 out of 20 aint bad)....


What is going on in NY??