TODAY: Denorfia would earn $1MM in the majors and can also reach up to $1MM in incentives, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network (Twitter link).
YESTERDAY: The Yankees have signed outfielder Chris Denorfia to a minor league deal, MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch reports (Twitter links). His contract includes a March opt-out date.
Commenting on the deal, GM Brian Cashman suggested that New York was interested in adding right-handed-hitting depth to the outfield mix. The 35-year-old certainly makes good sense in that role, as he’s compiled a lifetime .285/.353/.419 slash against opposing southpaws.
That being said, Denorfia was available on a minors pact because he hasn’t played up to his prior standards over the past two seasons. Since the start of 2014, he has a .245/.297/.339 slash over 589 plate appearances. But he put up four straight seasons of above-average offensive production before that, and rates as a quality fielder in the corner outfield, so it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see him return to productivity if he can earn his way back onto a MLB roster.
Honestly, I’m a bit surprised he had to settle for a minor league deal. His numbers last year weren’t flat out terrible (.691 OPS, 89 OPS+), especially since he’s a 4th outfielder at this point, and he played quality defense in the outfield corners. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him earn a spot out of spring training.
The numbers you’re talking about are below average numbers for a corner OF. Also considering he’s below average defensively, he’s not very good.
Out of 80 OFers the past 3 seasons who have fielded 2000+ innings, Denorifa is 6th in UZR/150 with 17.3
He is not below average defensively. He is above average defensively. Well above average.
4th outfielders are generally capable of playing center though, which he really isnt at this stage.
Small sample size nonsense. He’s 35 years old and his DRS have been average.
@jaysfan1994, His DRS in that same time span is +19, which is ranked 15th out of 80. If you’re going to make an argument with someone who uses numbers, you should use numbers of your own instead of giving a random opinion such as “Small sample size nonsense”.
You must be the only person who thinks 15th out of 80 is “average” and 3 seasons is a “small sample size”
@theo2016, the Yankees already have 3 OFers who can play CF.(Ellsbury, Gardner, Hicks). If he (Denorfia) can hit LHP well, he can serve a purpose for them since their OF and bench already has a lot of LHH.
As a useful spare part, this could be a low-level but decent value. I wonder why, if the Yankees were looking for another outfielder, they didn’t take a closer look at either Murphy, who just signed with the Red Sox, or even Jackson, who might have upside potential, albeit at a higher price.
Too many LH OFers as is so Murphy doesn’t make sense. And Jackson is likely looking for a major league deal.
I have to wonder like some on this board, why not go after Austin Jackson if you needed a fourth outfielder? I question the Yankees maneuvering on this move. Why waste time and money and just go with someone who was in the organization before. I understand the money aspect? But I’m certain sometime this year Beltran or Ellsbury or both go down.
“Minors league deal”… I’m sure A. Jackson is looking for a major league deal.
“Minors league deal”… I’m sure A.Jackson is looking for a major league deal.