Yankees News & Notes: Hafner signed, Canzler DFA & more ARod

The Yankees were hot on Travis Hafner’s heels for most of the week and finally inked him to a one-year, $2 million deal plus incentives. In a corresponding move, the Yankees designated Russ Canzler for assignment.

Hopefully Hafner can stay healthy and be the team’s left-handed DH all season long. (Image: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports)

More contract details have surfaced concerning Hafner’s incentives. According to the Associated Press, the lefty slugger can earn:

"$100,000 apiece for 150 plate appearances, 155 and each additional 15 through 275. He would receive $125,000 apiece for 290 and each additional 15 through 425; and $175,000 apiece for 440 and each additional 15 through 575."

All told, it would push his salary close to $4 million if he attained a full season’s worth of at-bats and stayed healthy. Also, Buster Olney of ESPN wrote that Hafner was choosing between the Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays, so it’s good to see the Yankees took one from a division rival.

To make room on the 40-man roster for Hafner, the Yankees designated recently acquired 1B/DH Russ Canzler for assignment. He’s been claimed off waivers a few times in the past year or two, so the Yankees might just lose him. Further, if that happened, the righthanded DH spot would become Matt Diaz’ to lose.

Finally, Kevin Kernan of the NY Post wrote that the Miami Hurricanes baseball field might change its name from Alex Rodriguez Field. A-Rod has been linked to PEDs recently — also admitted using them in the early 2000’s — which has prompted the university to entertain the thought of changing the field’s name. According to Kernan, A-Rod has donated more than $3 million to his alma mater.

It seems as though fans aren’t the only ones getting sick of Rodriguez’s schtick. Having donated that amount of money, and having your name slapped on the team’s baseball field, then to have it taken away? Ouch. But, thems the breaks when you’re linked to PEDs, whether guilty or not.

Later today on YGY, Benjamin Orr gives his thoughts on the A-Rod situation, followed by Alex Pugliese predicting who will make the Opening Day roster in the infield and bullpen. Be sure to stop back throughout the day, and leave a comment or two. We love discussion!