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Yankees, Erik Kratz Agree To Minor League Deal

By Steve Adams | December 20, 2019 at 10:01am CDT

The Yankees have agreed to a minor league contract with free-agent catcher Erik Kratz, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman tweets. He’s represented by the Ballplayers Agency.

Kratz, 39, will return for a yet another stint in the Yankees organization and bring a highly respected clubhouse veteran to the team’s catching depth chart. New York originally acquired Kratz in a cash deal with the Indians back in 2017, and this marks the third time the Yanks have signed him to a minor league contract since that deal. With Austin Romine departing to the Tigers on a one-year deal, Kyle Higashioka is the expected backup to Gary Sanchez, but Kratz seems likely to vie for a roster spot in Spring Training.

The veteran Kratz has spent parts of 10 seasons in the Majors, logging a collective .205/.252/.354 batting line through 921 plate appearances. He’s halted 32 percent of stolen-base attempts against him in his career and regularly puts up strong numbers in terms of both pitch framing and blocking pitches in the dirt. He’ll turn 40 next June but nevertheless enjoyed a .299/.375/.500 slash in 176 plate appearances with the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate in Scranton last year. Given that Kratz and his family live close to the Scranton area, he’ll have the opportunity to continue playing close to home even if he doesn’t break camp with the Yankees’ Major League club.

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New York Yankees Transactions Erik Kratz

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View Comments (41)

Comments

  1. Wilford Brimley

    2 years ago

    Who wants to start? Erik Kratz is so old…

    Reply
    • Dabofus going to the Padres game

      2 years ago

      He knows what a vcr, cd player, floppy disk, cassette tape are.

      Reply
      • Eightball611

        2 years ago

        So isn’t wilford

        Reply
      • gv84

        2 years ago

        Eightball is def at least 40 years old

        Reply
    • riffraff

      2 years ago

      His social security number is 1

      Reply
    • clrrogers

      2 years ago

      His original last name was Kratzosaurus.

      Reply
    • DarkSide830

      2 years ago

      he has firsthand knowledge of how the pyramids were built.

      Reply
    • oldyank55

      2 years ago

      …not as old as you, Wilford.

      Reply
    • Throw Like a Girl

      2 years ago

      …he hears his favorite songs every time he gets on an elevator.

      Reply
    • todd76

      2 years ago

      Couldn’t they find someone older?

      Reply
  2. pullhitter445

    2 years ago

    Nice to see Bobby axlerod in yankees pinstripes

    Reply
    • carlote

      2 years ago

      hahaha good one

      Reply
    • lowereastsider

      2 years ago

      He’ll always be Lieutenant Winters of Easy Company for me.

      Reply
  3. watup0100

    2 years ago

    They need someone for when they have to bench Sanchez.

    Reply
    • nymetsking

      2 years ago

      True, but this isn’t that someone.

      Reply
      • DarkSide830

        2 years ago

        better than Higashoika

        Reply
  4. truthlemonade

    2 years ago

    If he can crack the majors past June 15th, he will be a rare 40-something in the majors these days.

    Looks like it will be: Pujols, Nelson Cruz, Rich Hill, and here’s hoping Kratz, Pat Neshek, Fernando Rodney can keep it going. Rajai Davis if he is in the bigs past Oct. 19.

    Reply
  5. whyhayzee

    2 years ago

    Kratz catch fever.

    Reply
    • rule-5-draft-dodger

      2 years ago

      🙂

      Reply
    • itsmeheyhi

      2 years ago

      amazing

      Reply
  6. CrewBrew

    2 years ago

    Daddy Kratz is a beast

    Reply
    • ihazhomerun

      2 years ago

      He really is. Loved this guy on the Brewers and wish him nothing but good luck!

      Reply
  7. deweybelongsinthehall

    2 years ago

    Take out the”r” in his name because he seams to have nine lives.

    Reply
  8. Growing up UECKER

    2 years ago

    WAY TO GO KRATZY!!!
    You’re the best!!!!

    Reply
  9. Lifetimebaseballfan

    2 years ago

    Good for Erik. He’s a good guy. Hopefully, he’ll get a chance to keep his 1.000 Yankee batting average going.

    Reply
  10. Mo4ever

    2 years ago

    The Kraken meets the Kratzen. Again.

    Reply
  11. bkwalker510

    2 years ago

    i guess the stone temple pilots aren’t playing much these days so he needs a backup gig.

    Reply
  12. joeyrocafella

    2 years ago

    Nice pic

    Reply
  13. WhereIs28

    2 years ago

    Are the yankees going to put an offer for lindor? Or is our team set.

    Reply
    • lowereastsider

      2 years ago

      No. They’re set. Maybe another reliever. And if they want a utility upgrade over Tyler Wade. Even if the Yankees gain some payroll space with the whole Ellsbury spectacle, they should keep that open for a mid-summer trade. German is going to miss time due to a suspension but they have enough fill-ins already.

      Reply
      • nythefan

        2 years ago

        Not sure if you watched the games but Wade did well down the stretch. I think he’s just starting to figure it out at the dish. He’s fast, left handed and a great defensive replacement late in games. I think you are going to see more of Tyler Wade..

        Reply
        • Joe Says...

          2 years ago

          There is a belief that he will not do well in a bench role and needs regular at bats. Don’t know if it’s true but I have heard it.

    • Yankee Mike

      2 years ago

      I think you have to make an offer. My thought is Cleveland can use Andujar more than us, so you start with him. Devei Garcia and Albert Abreu could be pieces that interest Cleveland and then you give them a wild card like Estavan Florial, who used to be untouchable and choice of Estrada or Wade to replace Lindor. That is a real package they would consider and wouldn’t kill the Yankees.

      Reply
      • fits65

        2 years ago

        Calm down mike. Open your eyeballs. Your dream wasn’t real. There are the NY Yankees. Brian Cashman is the GM.

        He’s smart. Your ideas are dopey.

        Reply
        • Yankee Mike

          2 years ago

          Giving them a starting corner that was second in the rookie of the year is dopey? Adding in our top pitching prospect, a potential wc pitcher and a serviceable young infielder. Okay, then.

      • Long Live #15

        2 years ago

        Add the kitchen sink and the walk in shower You are talking a 5vfor 1 trade that is a big haul. I was surprise you didnt include Clint Frazier. Seriously a package of Frazier Garcia Abreu and one of the other Estrada or Wade. I wouldnt give up Andjuar just yet who is to say Urshella’s season was not a fluke

        Reply
    • Perksy

      2 years ago

      I hear rumors of Stanton/Happ for Hosmer/Myers

      Reply
  14. gv84

    2 years ago

    Erik Kratz just came out with a new adult diaper product called “Kraptz.”

    Reply
  15. Stevie E. B.

    2 years ago

    Replacement for Bird.

    Reply
  16. Cgoss

    2 years ago

    This guy is awesome. Never gives in.

    Reply
  17. Yankee Mike

    2 years ago

    So looking on the web today, there is an article from the Brewers fans perspective:

    https://www.brewcrewball.com/2019/12/20/21030354/milwaukee-brewers-josh-hader-new-york-yankees-trade

    They think they can get Andujar, Frazier, Garcia, Florial and Dominguez for Hader! I guess that is why trades rarely happen. Dominguez is untouchable. The other 4 would be a tall order for a relief pitcher.

    Reply

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