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The New York Yankees have agreed to a two-year, $7 million contract with left-handed reliever Matt Thornton, according to a source close to the negotiations. The deal was first reported by Jack Curry of YES Network.
Before he signed with the Yankees, Thornton drew significant interest from the Nationals, Astros and Padres, the source confirms. About a dozen teams showed at least some level of interest in signing him this offseason.
Thornton, 37, will fill the left-handed spot in the Yankees' bullpen left vacant by the departure of Boone Logan, who signed a three-year, $16.5 million contract with the Rockies last week. He will likely see time in the sixth and seventh innings, and is unlikely to be used as a lefty-on-lefty matchup pitcher.
Thornton, 37, was 0-4 with a 3.74 ERA in 60 appearances between the White Sox and Red Sox in 2013. He was not put on Boston's playoff roster due to concerns about his oblique, but was still a valued member of the team's clubhouse throughout the postseason. He is the second member of the World Series champions to leave Boston for the Yankees, joining outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who signed for seven years and $153 million.
In ten major league seasons with the Mariners (2004-2005), White Sox (2006-2013) and Red Sox (2013), Thornton has posted a 32-42 record and 3.53 ERA in 606 appearances. He has been one of the most durable relievers in baseball, appearing in 60 games or more in each of the last eight seasons.
