The Yankees have another right handed hitting outfielder to try out for their backup spot during spring training as they have signed Juan Rivera to a one-year, minor league contract, according to Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com.
Rivera, 34, was limited to just 109 games last season because of groin injuries and hit just .244/.286/.375 and a 81 OPS+. Against lefties, he hit .260/.312/.433 last season which brings him to a 97 OPS+. He is a very poor outfielder on the corners and has limited experience at first base as well.
He’ll be battling Matt Diaz, Russ Canzler, and Thomas Neal for that fourth outfielder spot. One of the “losers” for that outfield spot could potentially fit as a part time DH as well.
Rivera, of course, came up with the Yankees in 2001. He had a .262/.302/.427 line in parts of three years before he was traded as part of a package for Javier Vazquez.
Cant hurt could help move.
Was Rivera the guy that stole Jeter's glove during Spring Training and was going to sell it? I could have the wrong guy, wrong victim, and wrong piece of equipment, but I have a clear memory that somebody stole something from somebody…
You made the same mistake Michael Kay has made in the past and are getting Juan Rivera confused with Ruben Rivera. Juan Rivera has never stolen anything from anybody that we know about.
Juan Rivera stole a paycheck from the Dodgers last year
Ill be here all week
Thanks for setting me straight, Rob.
Great move. He's better than the other guys he'll be competing with.
Oh boy, another guy who can't field, is on the down side of his career, and can't even hit lefties too well. Why not see if Jermaine Dye wants to come out of retirement? He just turned 39, and he really could hit. Joking, kinda.