Yankees sign Jay Bruce before spring training – New York Post

Jay Bruce is finally a Yankee.

The lefty-swinging Bruce signed a minor league deal with the Yankees, a source confirmed Saturday, and he could provide a much-needed left-handed bat to the lineup if he’s on the roster.

But Bruce, who turns 34 in April, has been far less productive in recent seasons than earlier in his career.

The three-time All-Star hit six homers and had a .721 OPS in 103 plate appearances with the Phillies, battling quad injuries in the shortened 2020 season. He was solid in 2019, which he split between Philadelphia and Seattle.

With no DH in the National League this season, it made sense for Bruce to sign with an AL team and he could take advantage of the short porch in right at Yankee Stadium.

With Brett Gardner still a free agent, the Yankees have just switch-hitting Aaron Hicks and Greg Allen and left-handed hitters Mike Tauchman, Mike Ford, Estevan Florial and Tyler Wade on the 40-man roster to potentially balance out the lineup.

The Yankees, a source added, still have not ruled out bringing back Gardner, since he would fill a different role than Bruce.

The Yankees’ pursuit of Bruce goes back to at least 2017, when they were confident they had landed him in a trade with the Mets prior to that year’s non-waiver trade deadline, only to see him go in a deal to Cleveland.

Bruce will make $1.35 million, plus bonuses, if he’s on the major league roster. And if he’s healthy, Bruce could also play first base, as well as right and left field.