Ben Francisco signed to minor league deal

[RCSownsU]

TAMPA, Fla. – A few hours after Cleveland released outfielder Ben Francisco, the Yankees signed him to a minor-league deal and offered a spot in their outfield competition. Francisco is expected to arrive here from Arizona by Wednesday. He can play both corner spots.

“I think he’s definitely worthy for the competition,” general manager Brian Cashman said. “So we’re going to take a look at him.”

The Yankees considered Francisco as a non-roster invitee before the season began. He opted for Cleveland -- which signed players like Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn, winnowing Francisco's playing time.

Francisco, 31, had a rough 2012, with a .670 on-base plus slugging percentage for Houston, Tampa Bay and Toronto. He’ll vie for playing time here against players like Juan Rivera, Matt Diaz, Zoilo Almonte and Ronnier Mustelier.

The Yankees need replacements for Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira. Both are expected to be out until at least May.

http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/...francisco.html

[Decimotox]

Eh

[RCSownsU]

After being released by the Cleveland Indians this morning, Ben Francisco didn't have to wait long to find a new job. He'll be another semi-warm body competing for the open spot in the outfield until Curtis Granderson returns from his broken forearm. It seemed like, to this point, that the Yankees might actually be giving kids like Zoilo Almonte, Melky Mesa, and Ronnier Mustelier a real shot to win a spot on the Opening Day roster, but they could only deny their quest for more veteran presence for so long.

Francisco hit .240/.285/.385 in 82 games for three different teams in 2012. His 94 wRC+ against right-handers last year is a pretty big step up over his 70 wRC+ off lefties, but his career numbers are less lopsided. Hopefully his signing will represent just another guy vying for a spot that the best player will win instead of a way for the Yankees to just give the job to a guy who has been around longer. Francisco will be with the team as soon as tomorrow.

http://www.pinstripedbible.com/2013/...e-for-outfield

[Yankees90.]

We have the same thing basically in Almonte/Mesa. But I guess a little depth won't hurt

[Kinkotheclown]

If we want a 240 hitter, keep the kids up.
I'm getting tired of these guys. I'm sick of watching slow, old, mediocre players when we could have young, hungry energy on the field.
I know he's only 31 but it's old when you have kids that can play as well as he can.

i like that Musty was playing 3rd today.
Almonte had a great at bat in the 7th.

[BE10sCoach]

More Garbage picking by Yankees and Cashman. Cleveland lands Swisher and we get a guy who can't even make the Indians, LMAO. Play the young guys, we don't need another mediocre pickup.

[LeoYankee]

He will start in LF on opening day.

Oh, and he stinks.

[theslick1]

Well the Indians didn't cut him based on his spring training results.

He was hitting .400 with a .520 OBP.

[Pinstripe power]

championship!

[LeoYankee]

So, Donkey and FranksN Beans were not good enough for the Indians, but are good enough for the Yankees?

My goodness .

[BE10sCoach]

Yep, great days for Yankees taking cleveland Indian castoffs, LMAO

[bfrap]

He's on a minor league deal. I don't even count him until they move him to the 40 man roster. Until then, he is just another guy in camp that they can are beholden to.

[rrzubnyy]

This signing tells us that Brian Cashman has no faith with the young crop of kids.....The days of the Yankees making slam dunk trades are over until we find out where Hal is going with this organization...I still think Hal wants the kids up next season so the payroll will be easier to manage...I expect Williams, Austin,Heathcott all on the 25 man roster....What is their costs? $1.5 million?

He obviously wanted the KIller B's to be 3/5 of the 2014 rotation and that will never happen now...If George was here Justin Morneau is already here.....And he pays for the entire $14 million that the Twins do not need to pay with that crap team....

It is sad when the Yankees have to pick up rejects....

But I still have faith with the current roster as the pitching is still very strong....

[RCSownsU]

This signing tells us that Brian Cashman has no faith with the young crop of kids.....The days of the Yankees making slam dunk trades are over until we find out where Hal is going with this organization...I still think Hal wants the kids up next season so the payroll will be easier to manage...I expect Williams, Austin,Heathcott all on the 25 man roster....What is their costs? $1.5 million?

He obviously wanted the KIller B's to be 3/5 of the 2014 rotation and that will never happen now...If George was here Justin Morneau is already here.....And he pays for the entire $14 million that the Twins do not need to pay with that crap team....

It is sad when the Yankees have to pick up rejects....

But I still have faith with the current roster as the pitching is still very strong....

Sorry. The killer b's can't be 3/5th of the rotation.

Why you ask?

Only two killer b's left. Banuelos and Betances

Brackman is no longer in our minor league system.

[bfrap]

This signing tells us that Brian Cashman has no faith with the young crop of kids.....The days of the Yankees making slam dunk trades are over until we find out where Hal is going with this organization...I still think Hal wants the kids up next season so the payroll will be easier to manage...I expect Williams, Austin,Heathcott all on the 25 man roster....What is their costs? $1.5 million?

He obviously wanted the KIller B's to be 3/5 of the 2014 rotation and that will never happen now...If George was here Justin Morneau is already here.....And he pays for the entire $14 million that the Twins do not need to pay with that crap team....

It is sad when the Yankees have to pick up rejects....

But I still have faith with the current roster as the pitching is still very strong....

Well, this post tells me that you have no idea on what you are talking about... First.. When have the Yankees ever had faith in rookies? Well, I can tell you this, they have had very little since 1973... and most of that was during the early 90's when George was suspended. Second... this is a minor league deal... that means, they are kicking the tires and giving him a small chance to show the Yanks what he can do, and in the mean time pay him peanuts to do it. Nothing wrong with that. This is a business. The GM (name nor team are relevant) cannot afford to be a fan, or be too trusting in kids. Their job is to field the best team possible, period. If Francisco shows that he is what is best for the Yanks, so be it.. he should be on the team... if he shows that there was a reason that he was not on anybodies roster.. well, he won't be here for long either.