Jay Bruce is finally a Yankee.
Left-back Bruce signed a minor league deal with the Yankees, a source confirmed on Saturday, and could provide a much-needed left-hander to the lineup if he is on the roster.
But Bruce, who is 34 in April, has been much less productive in recent seasons than before his career.
The three-time All-Star hit six homers and had a .721 OPS in 103 plate appearances with the Phillies, battling quad injuries in the short 2020 season. He was solid in 2019, splitting between Philadelphia and Seattle. .
Without DH in the National League this season, it made sense for Bruce to sign with an AL team and he could take advantage of the short porch at Yankee Stadium.
With Brett Gardner still as a free agent, the Yankees have just replaced Aaron Hicks and Greg Allen and left-handers Mike Tauchman, Mike Ford, Estevan Florial and Tyler Wade on the 40-man roster to potentially balance the lineup.
The Yankees, a source added, have not yet ruled out getting Gardner back, as he would play a different role than Bruce.
The persecution of Bruce’s Yankees dates back at least to 2017, when they were confident they had landed him in a trade with the Mets before that year’s negotiation deadline, only to see him go to a deal. in Cleveland.
Bruce will earn $ 1.35 million, plus bonus, if he is on the major leagues list. And if he’s healthy, Bruce could also play first base as well as right and left field.