NEW YORK – Outfielder Jay Bruce accepted a minor league contract with the New York Yankees on Saturday and will try to earn a spot in spring training for the Major League.
The 33-year-old has a chance as a lefthanded hitter in a predominantly right-wing setup. The Yankees outfield is made up of two-handed midfielder Aaron Hicks and right-hand, right-hitting, Aaron Judge.
Clint Frazier, another righthander, is the lead candidate for the leftfield, with Michael Tauchman and Tyler Wade, both lefthanded hitters, also contenders, but more likely to spend time as backup.
Brett Gardner became a free agent and is in talks with the Yankees, but the team and the 37-year-old left-handed batter have separated over the money. Gardner joined the Yankees in 2008 and is the longest-serving player on the roster.
Bruce hit .198 with six home runs and 14 RBI’s for Philadelphia in 96 at-bats during the pandemic-shortened season. He is a three-time All-Star with an average of .245, 318 home runs and 948 RBI’s in 13 Major League-seasons with the Reds (2008-15), Mets (2016-18), Indians (2018), Mariners (2019) ).) and Phillies.