New York Signs Travis Hafner, LaRoche to Toronto

Travis Hafner will call New York his home in 2013. The Bronx, NY, that is.

Hafner gets a one-year MLB deal with at least $2M guaranteed from the New York Yankees. If he can stay healthy for at least 50 games, he may hit 15 homers; he’s going to like hitting in Yankee Stadium. The Mets have no use for Hafner until Bud Selig forces the DH into all games — something that likely will happen sooner rather than later.

Lyle Overbay signs a minor-league deal with the Red Sox. Perhaps if Overbay took the right vitamins, he’d be as powerful and injury-prone as Hafner.

Matt Capps signed a minor-league deal with the Indians. I’m mildly surprised Capps didn’t get a MLB deal, but it’s understandable considering his chronic shoulder issues. When he’s healthy, he’s dominant, but no one can be sure if he’s healthy, nor how long he can remain healthy. Should the Mets have extended an invite to Capps? Methinks it would’ve been a good idea.

Bill Hall signed a minor-league deal with the Angels. Remember when Hall hit 35 HR and was a valued member of Team USA in the World Baseball Classic? Talk about falling off a cliff.

Speaking of cliff dives, Manny Delcarmen was signed to a minor-league deal by the Orioles. Delcarmen was a pretty solid middle reliever in a very tough division for a period of time; but then, so was Aaron Heilman. The Orioles also worked out, but did not sign, former Met Fernando Tatis and graying LOOGY Arthur Rhodes.

Andy LaRoche was invited to spring training by the Blue Jays. What LaRoche did you think I was talking about in the headline? Dave?

Andrew Brackman signed a minor-league deal with the White Sox. Brackman is intriguing; he is a former big-bonus, first-round draftee of the Yankees who never quite put it together in the Bombers’ system. He stands 6’10” and was once clocked at 97 MPH. From what I understand, he still hums in the 93-95 range, and throws a nasty 12-6 curveball. So what’s wrong? He can’t repeat his mechanics, leading to massive control problems and frightening walk totals; he walked 42 in 63 innings last year, and has averaged 5 BB/9 in his career.