As Spring Training officially gets underway this week, the Yankees have been busy adding depth to the organization with a trio of acquisitions.
On Saturday, the Bombers inked veteran outfielder Jay Bruce to a Minor League deal, and on Monday the team added lefty reliever Justin Wilson and catcher Robinson Chirinos.
Bruce, 33, is a three-time All-Star with 13 MLB seasons under his belt and a career slash line of .245/.314/.469 during stints with five different organizations.
A season ago, Bruce made 32 appearances with the Phillies belting six home runs and 14 RBI, while posting an OPS+ of 88. The Yankees had been expected to add more left-handed options to the mix entering 2021 and Bruce will report for camp looking to secure a bench role in the Bronx for this upcoming season.
Wilson, 33, formerly spent time with the Bombers back in 2015 before being traded to the Tigers in return for current Yankees relievers Chad Green and Luis Cessa. That season Wilson went 5-0 with a 3.10 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 74 games with the Yankees.
The nine-year veteran owns a 32-22 record in 480 career MLB outings, along with 474 strikeouts in 429 1/3 innings for a 9.9 K/9 rate. The Yankees have made a number of moves to give the pitching staff a new look heading into this year, and Wilson will join a host of veterans and youngsters alike looking to slot in behind an experienced relief corps that features players like Aroldis Chapman, Zack Britton, Darren O’Day among others.
Also making his way to Tampa to reportedly join the Yankees in camp this year is 36-year-old backstop Robinson Chirinos, a nine-year MLB veteran with the Rays, Rangers, Astros and Mets.
Chirinos has been a .231 lifetime hitter in the Majors for his career while also gaining experience catching some of the best pitchers in the game, including Gerrit Cole and 2019 Cy Young winner Justin Verlander during his lone season with the Astros.
With Gary Sanchez hoping to put his 2020 challenges to rest this season, Chirinos could offer a trusty veteran presence behind the plate off the bench should he claim a role out of camp.
For all the latest Yankees news and notes, be sure to follow YES Network all season long as the Bombers pursue World Series championship No. 28.