Recently addressing needs at the catcher and outfield positions, the New York Yankees still needed to fill holes at second base, within the bullpen and starting rotation. While the team has already said it prefers to handle the starting pitching situation by utilizing in-house players such as David Phelps or Vidal Nuno, bullpen help could come on the open free agent market or by way of a trade, for a closer such as Jonathan Papelbon of the Philadelphia Phillies. Continuing to explore multiple options in the pitching department, the Yankees did take care of a need at second, and once again signed a player from a rival.
According to ESPN, the Yankees and former Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts have come to terms on a one-year, $2 million deal. The deal comes just days after the Yankees introduced former Boston Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury as one of its newest members. Roberts -- a productive player in 13 seasons with the Orioles despite multiple injuries -- is expected to compete for the starting second base job with Kelly Johnson, another offseason acquisition of the Bronx Bombers. The 36-year-old has spent the first 13 years of his career in Baltimore and now the Yankees hope he's able to help fill the void left by Robinson Cano, who recently signed with the Seattle Mariners for ten-years and $240 million.
A two-time All-Star with a career .278 batting average, 278 stolen bases and 351 doubles, Roberts is certainly capable of helping the Yankees on the offensive end but injury issues have hampered the Durham, North Carolina for much of his career. Roberts' last fully healthy season came in 2009, where he appeared in 159 games and batted .283 with 16 homers, 79 RBI, 30 stolen bases and a career-high 50 doubles, but the righty hasn't appeared in more than 77 games in a season since.
Roberts said in September that he would've liked to remain with one team in his career but after recently completing a four-year contract, the second baseman ultimately chose to sign with the Yankees. "At this point in my career, it's really going to be about what the opportunities are and where you want to be, where you want you and your family to be and what that looks like," Roberts said. "There could be a lot of factors that go into it, but certainly money won't be the No. 1 one."
Struggling with neck, back and concussion issues over the years, Roberts hopes a change of scenery helps boost his stats once again while also hoping his body is able to hold up for a complete season.
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