Breaking News: New York Yankees Agree To Deal With Mark Reynolds

Jun 21, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians first baseman

(12) hits an RBI single in the second inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Apparently Brian Cashman is an avid reader of Yanks Go Yard.  One week ago, I mentioned how the recently DFA’d Mark Reynolds could be a good idea for this team that is lacking right handed punch.  He can play first and third and give the Yankees another option against lefties. Well, the Yankees went and signed the slugger for the rest of the season.

The Yankees need a right-handed bat to complement Lyle Overbay at first against lefties, and someone who can play third to give Alex Rodriguez a day off. While he may not be as good defensively as Jayson Nix at third, it’s not like he’s terrible at it and he’s a better hitter.

The Indians decided to give more of their at-bats at DH to ex-Yankee Jason Giambi rather than give it to Reynolds. Reynolds hit .301 with eight homers the first month of the season. After that, he hit .187 with seven homers. The Yankees had interest in Reynolds in the off-season, but he signed with Cleveland so the Yankees signed Kevin Youkilis.

If Reynolds plays well, he could parlay it to a contract with the Yankees, or another team next season. With questions surrounding Rodriguez’s eligibility for next season and with Mark Teixeira coming back from injury, Reynolds could be a nice insurance policy if he plays well.

The Yankees needed a right handed complementary bat. Even if he strikes out at lot, so does Alfonso Soriano and the rest of the lineup.

The Yankees made the move for Reynolds. Now we’ll see if he produces.