Yankees sign Drew Hutchison and Matt Lipka to minor league deals

The Yankees continue to add depth to their minor league ranks, coming to terms with right-handed pitcher, Drew Hutchison — and outfielder, Matt Lipka. Both will receive invites to Spring Training.

If Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner is indeed scanning the social media wires for a reaction to his front office decision making, it’s highly-unlikely the recent signings of pitcher, Drew Hutchison and outfielder, Matt Lipka, will create much of an impression.

According to Ken Davidoff of the New York Post, Steinbrenner first began taking the temperature of Yankee followers back in 2016, when the club underwent their brief but successful rebuild. However, following two consecutive trips to the postseason, Hal’s Twitter feed probably looks a little different following this offseason’s activity.

"While finances and fit clearly drove the Yankees to their extreme long-shot position on Machado, it would be in character for Steinbrenner, who values data and fan passion, to also check the heartbeat of his fan base on this one. In this instance, there would have to be two huge piles: one “Pro,” one “Con.”"

Perhaps there should be a third category for “meh.” That’s because signing low-cost players with the allure of an invite to spring training means very little. Sure, there’s always the chance a guy on a minor league deal catches lighting in a bottle and turns some heads, but his brief appearance in Tampa is more for a roster spot in Scranton or Trenton, rather than the Bronx.

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Hutchison, 28, once showed real promise for the Blue Jays — as he was the Jays’ youngest opening day starter in team history at 24 years, 227 days. On April 6, 2015, he came to the Bronx and threw six innings of one-run ball for the win.

Despite Tommy John surgery in 2013, Hutchison did rebound to win a career-high 13 games in 2015, although an ERA of 5.57 ERA, 1.483 WHIP and a 129:44 K:BB ratio across 150.1 innings left a lot to be desired.

A move the bullpen the following season culminated in Hutchison eventually playing for three teams since 2016, including the Pirates and Rangers in 2018.

In 16 appearances last season, the Florida-native went 2-2 with a 6.75 ERA, 1.781 WHIP and a 31:26 K:BB ratio across 42.2 innings. Hutchison will need to pitch lights out, should he hope to overtake the likes of Domingo German, Luis Cessa and others, for a potential big league long relief role.

Then there’s 26-year-old Matt Lipka, who has yet to reach the majors in nine minor league seasons. A former first-round pick of the Braves way back in 2010, Lipka is a converted shortstop — logging more than 4000 innings in center field for three different organizations.

Spending all of 2018 with the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels (Giants organization), Lipka slashed .240/.329/.352 with 47 runs scored, 12 doubles, five triples, four homers, 30 RBIs, 21 stolen bases and a 57:40 K:BB ratio across 357 plate appearances.

Perhaps the Yanks value Lipka’s versatility, as he has played every position except for pitcher, catcher and first base during his minor league career.

It’ll be interesting to see if the Yankees have enough room down on the farm for another speedy outfielder, following last weeks signing of former A’s and Royals outfielder, Billy Burns.