YANKEES SIGN MATTINGLY!

Not Don, unfortunately. His 24-year-old son, Preston, inked a minor league contract with the Bombers yesterday. The deal did not include an invite to Spring Training.

The 31st overall pick in the 2006 draft (Dodgers) owns a career .232/.276/.335 line to go with 520 strikeouts and 99 walks in 1,846 plate appearances. That K/BB ratio is not a typo, and it’s one of the main reasons why Preston has never made it beyond Single-A ball.

Also, Preston came up as a shortstop but later switched to second base before being shuffled to the outfield. That doesn’t exactly instil confidence to teams or fans, which is why it seems like this move was a nod to Don. The Yanks really had no business signing this kid and I have to believe that if his last name wasn’t Mattingly he wouldn’t have a contract with the Yanks.

Random thought:

If Preston does wind up making it to the Bronx, would the Yanks let him wear the 23? Probably not, but that would be cool if it ever happened. However, I think — and I’m allowed to say this because he’s my favorite athlete ever — we’ll see Don in the Hall of Fame before we see Preston in pinstripes. Sad but true.