Matt Holliday is joining the Yankees.
The New York Yankees and free agent Matt Holliday have come to terms on a one-year contract worth a reported $13 million.
Holliday will assume the role of designated hitter for New York.
The Yankees have long been linked to free agent Edwin Encarnacion, but ultimately the thought of sacrificing a draft pick to sign him caused them to look in another direction.
“Our preference is to retain a draft pick if we can. We have a certain amount of money we want to allocate to allow us to do a number of different things,’’ Cashman said at the Heights & Lights event in Stamford, where he rappeled down a building. “Trying to get a bat, an arm and maybe more.”
This satisfies the team’s offseason-long search for the right fit for the team.
“You name a hitter and I’ve talked to him. Whether it’s [Mike] Napoli, Encarnacion, [Jose] Bautista, whether it’s Holliday, whether it’s Brandon Moss,” Cashman said. “It’s a number of guys. Talked to [Chris] Carter’s agent after he got non-tendered.”
The soon-to-be 37-year-old played in 110 games for the Cardinals last season, hitting .246 with a .322 OBP, 20 home runs and 62 RBIs.
Holliday was the Cardinals DH in 8 games last season, he also saw time at left field and first base.
The Yankees hope that when asked to focus on nothing but hitting, Holliday’s numbers will creep back up closer to his career average slash line of .303/.382/.515.
One unnamed National League scout believes this was a smart signing for the team.
“I think he has got a lot left, especially in the American League,’’ an NL scout said of the former Cardinals’ left fielder who will be the Yankees’ DH. “He came back from a thumb injury and hit a home run. He is tough, and that is a really good move for the Yankees, a nice sign. Edwin Encarnacion is a better player than Matt Holliday, but he is going to cost a ton of money. Holliday will be a presence in the lineup. He is a good enough athlete to play first base.’’
