Yankees sign Adam Lind to minor-league deal

The Yankees have signed first baseman Adam Lind to a minor-league deal with an invite to Major League spring training, Yankees PR announced Friday morning.

This deal provides the Yankees with some veteran depth behind a injury-prone Greg Bird at first base. The Yankees also have youngsters Tyler Austin and Billy McKinney who were behind Bird on the first base depth chart, but having Lind in the mix gives him a good shot at seeing the big league roster at some point. It could also force both Austin and McKinney to open the season in Triple-A.

Lind, 34, had a productive year in 116 games with the Nationals last season slashing .303/.362/.513 with 14 home runs, 59 RBIs, and 14 doubles. Lind made appearances at first base, left field, and designated hitter last year, and he also led the league with four pinch hit homers. The 12-year veteran has a career .272/.330/.445 slash line between four clubs. Lind spent the first eight-plus seasons of his career with the Blue Jays, and he has since bounced around, playing on a different club in each season since 2015.

With an uncertainty as to who would be backing up Bird at first, Lind has a pretty decent shot at making the Opening Day roster in New York. It is unlikely Lind sees any time in the outfield due to the Yankees depth there, however, so expect much of his time to be at the DH spot and backing up Bird at first, in the event that he makes the roster.