Yankees add Traber, DeSalvo to Atlanta

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The good people at Baseball America had updated their minor league transactions. The Yankees list has at least one name that should make some of you happy.

New York Yankees
Signed: RHP Scott Strickland, LHP Heath Phillips, LHP Billy Traber, C Jason Brown, 2B Nick Green

Traber.jpg

Billy Traber (left) has been brought up in the comments section of this blog several times. He could be the Ben Kozlowski of 2008, but he also has some big league experience and could challenge for a big league job if New York doesn't add a lefty between now and spring training. His numbers aren't overwhelming, but they aren't terrible either. He's at least worth a look. As for Phillips, he's more of a starter, but the White Sox used him in relief last season with fairly good results. I have no idea what the Yankees plan to do with him, but he was outstanding in 2006, pretty good in 2007 and he's a left-hander, so it's hard to argue with the signing. Bottom line, the Yankees went from having no reliable Triple-A left-handers to having two with big league experience.

Not much to say about the other three. Strickland is a big league veteran who hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2005, Brown is an organizational guy and Green we already knew about.

Beyond the Yankees signings there's not much of great interest, with the exception of Matt DeSalvo who has signed with the Braves. Former Yankees farmhand John Rodriguez -- who might have been a good corner outfield option for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre -- has signed with Tampa Bay.

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According to Baseball America, the Yankees have signed catcher Jason Brown, infielder Nick Green and pitchers Heath Phillips, Scott Strickland and Billy Traber. You really have to hand it to the Yankees minor league scouting department, some of these guys could actually make a difference next season in the Bronx, especially Heath Phillips.

Jason Brown-34-C
Brown has been in the Yankees organization for a couple of seasons now, and he is virtually a minor league backup quality player. The Yankees will need someone to backup Fransisco Cervelli next season in Scranton, so Brown has a shot of sticking with the Yankees for another season. He's never really been a great hitter, but from what I understand, he blocks the plate well and is fundamentally sound in terms of defense.

Nick Green-29-INF
Green spent some time with the Yankees back in 2006, and despite his weak offensive production, was praised for his work ethic clubhouse leadership. After a strong 2007 season with the Pirates and Mariners respective Triple-A teams, Green could be primed for a backup role with the Yankees. Work ethic and hustle will go far in the eyes of Joe Girardi, and if Green outhits Alberto Gonzalez, chances are he'll be the Yankees backup infielder this season.

Scott Strickland-32-RHP
Strickland actually came close to signing a minor league with the Yankees last season, but according to some sources, some personal issues arose and he was unable to join the team. Obviously it was his intention to join the Yankees, because he will compete for a bullpen role in spring training this season. He's a somewhat effective reliever, but odds are he'll spend the majority of the 2008 season in Triple-A.

Heath Phillips-LHP-26
Here is a great signing by the Yankees. Phillips, the International League's Most Valuable Pitcher in 2006 and former 10th round draft pick has been a durable and effective starter throughout his professional career, but the Yankees may have a relief role in mind for the lefty. Aside from a decent sinker that can hit 90 MPH at times, Phillips boasts a mid-80's curve with a sharp break as well. I think he has potential to be a solid situational lefty next season.

Billy Traber-28-LHP
The former first-round pick has bounced around the majors and minors over the course of his career, and he did not fare well for the Nationals last season. Traber actually has halfway decent stuff and has always posted an impressive K/BB ration, so he is definitely worth a look as a LOOGY in spring training.

In other news, Matt DeSalvo signed with the Braves and Andy Phillips signed with the Reds. Odd choice for Phillips, considering that Cincinnatti has both Scott Hatteberg and Joey Votto in the mix at first. I'm not going to complain though. My girlfriend is a huge Bubba Crosby fan, and when he joined the Reds last season, I got her a Reds baseball hat. Looks like it was a good, or at least lucky investment.