New York Yankees News & Notes 3/27: Recap, Overbay, Otero, Martin

Five days to the start of the season. Let’s take a look at a busy 48 hour period around New York Yankees training camp.

March 20, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher

(52) in the dugout against the Boston Red Sox at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Fit to be tied: After a day off Monday, the Yankees tied with the Houston Astros 4-4. Vernon Wells made his first official appearance as a Yankee and went 0-3 with an RBI groundout. Wells was acquired for outfielder Exicardo Cayones and pitcher Kramer Sneed. Cayones was acquired in the deal for A.J. Burnett. The Yankees released David Adams to make room on the 40-man roster for Wells. Wells appears to be the everyday left-fielder until Curtis Granderson returns. Even though Wells will be under contract next year too, he won’t count towards the luxury tax because the Yankees are paying most of the $13 million owed to him this year thanks to the insurance money they will receive due to Mark Teixeria’s injury.

Plus Two: The Yankees also acquired two other players, claiming pitcher Dan Otero off waivers from the San Francisco Giants and signing first-baseman Lyle Overbay to a minor league deal. The Yankees have three days to decide whether or not to keep Overbay because he has to be on the active roster or he can opt out of the deal. The Yankees placed Cesar Cabral on the 60-day DL to make room for Otero.

Martin Speaks: Ex-Yankee Russell Martin could have been the Yankees catcher. He went to the Yankees and proposed a one year deal for $9 or $10 million, which wouldn’t interfere with the plan to be under $189 million next year. The Yankees never made an offer and you know the rest.

The Yankees head to Orioles camp with first pitch at 7:05. If you have MLB.TV you can watch the MASN broadcast of it.