Long coveted for his multi-purpose bat and ability to play several positions, the Yankees, who talked about making a move for veteran Eric Hinske a few times the last couple of seasons, acquired the utility player from Pittsburgh Tuesday for a pair of minor leaguers.
The Yankees dealt right-hander Casey Erickson and outfielder Eric Fryer to the Pirates in exchange for Hinske. Hinske had signed as a free agent with the Bucs after appearing in his second successive World Series in 2008 with the Rays. As Tampa Bay’s Opening Day right fielder last season, Hinske delivered 20 homers and 60 RBIs for the American League champs.
Now 31, the left-handed hitter, who was part of Boston’s title run in 2007, batted .255 in 54 games with the Pirates this season. He had one home run and 11 RBIs. Hinske is a former AL Rookie of the Year, earning those honors in 2002 with the Toronto Blue Jays, who had made him their 17th-round selection in the 1998 First-Year Player Draft. He is a lifetime .257 hitter in 957 career games.
It’s not a bad move for New York, especially considering that Xavier Nady has now been lost for the season due to injury.
How much Hinske will perform in New York in a limited role remains to be seen. If he produces somewhere in between the kind of numbers he posted the last three seasons, he will be a valuable role player and hitter off the bench for the Bombers.
The Yankees also received cash considerations along with Hinske, whose 2009 contract is for $1.5 million. The team announced that Hinske will join the club in New York today and a roster move will be made to activate him for the game against the Mariners.
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