The New York Yankees have signed 31-year old righty swinging 3B Justin Leone and 28-year old switch hitting outfielder Todd Linden to minor league deals. Leone played in 108 games in Rookie + AAA-ball last season and he was 91 for 367 (.248 avg, .811 OPS) with 66 runs scored, 17 homers, 66 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. Leone has also played in 32 games in his major league career in which he is 22 for 103 (.214 avg, .733 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 6 homers and 13 RBIs. Leone does have some holes in his swing as he has already whiffed 32 times in his major league career. Todd Linden played in 112 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 116 for 402 (.289 avg, .886 OPS) with 64 runs scored, 17 homers and 62 RBIs. Linden has also played in 270 games in his major league career in which he is 116 for 502 (.231 avg, .638 OPS) with 64 runs scored, 8 homers, 36 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. Linden also has a problem with whiffing as he has K’d 148 times in his major league career so far. Both of these guys will likely start the season in AAA and only get a call to the Bronx if the Yankees suffer multiple injuries.

The Yankees have signed 30-year old lefty swinging outfielder John Rodriguez to a minor league deal. Rodriguez played in 71 games in AAA + Rookie ball last season and he was 58 for 215 (.270 avg, .829 OPS) with 33 runs scored, 10 homers and 32 RBIs. Rodriguez has also played in 158 games in his major league career in which he is 99 for 332 (.298 avg, .812 OPS) with 46 runs scored, 7 homers and 43 RBIs. This was a nice depth signing for the Yankees as Rodriguez is a capable hitter at the major league level.

The Yankees have designated 29-year old righty swinging 1B Shelley Duncan for assignment. Duncan played in 23 games for the Yanks last season and he was 10 for 57 (.175 avg, .543 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 1 homer and 6 RBIs. He has now played in 57 games in his major league career and he is 29 for 131 (.221 avg, .734 OPS) with 23 runs scored, 8 homers and 23 RBIs. The Yankees shouldn’t miss Duncan too much as they have other players capable of stepping up if they need any help.

The Yankees have signed 35-year old righty starting pitcher Jason Johnson to a minor league deal. Johnson pitched in 16 games (2 starts) for the Dodgers last season and he was 1-2 with a 5.22 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. He has now pitched in 255 games (221 starts) in his major league career and he is 56-100 with a 4.99 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. Johnson will likely start the season in AAA and not make it to the Bronx unless the Yankees suffer some injuries in the starting rotation.

The Yankees have signed 30-year old righty swinging shortstop Angel Berroa to a minor league deal. Berroa played in 84 games for the Dodgers last season and he was 52 for 226 (.230 avg, .614 OPS) with 26 runs scored, 1 homer and 16 RBIs. He has now played in 711 games in his career and he is 658 for 2,526 (.260 avg, .683 OPS) with 319 runs scored, 46 homers, 251 RBIs and 50 stolen bases. This was a good low risk buy for the Yankees as Berroa will battle for a backup job in 2009.

Major League Baseball has suspended righty starting pitcher Sergio Mitre for the first 50 games of the 2009 season. Mitre tested positive for a performance enhancing drug. The Yankees won’t miss Mitre at all as he will ride out his 50-game suspension on the D.L. as he recovers from Tommy John Surgery which will cause him to miss at least the first half of the 2009 season.

The New York Yankees have signed 28-year old switch hitting 1B Mark Teixeira to a 8-year, $180 million dollar contract. The rival Red Sox had their eyes on Teixeira which makes it especially sweet that he signed on with the Yankees. Teixeira played in 157 games for the Braves & Angels last season in which he was 177 for 574 (.308 avg, .962 OPS) with 102 runs scored, 33 homers and 121 RBIs. He has now played in 904 games in his major league career and he is 989 for 3,414 (.290 avg, .919 OPS) with 566 runs scored, 203 homers and 676 RBIs. This was another outstanding signing for the Yankees as Teixeira will help make the Yankees’ lineup the best in all of baseball…..without a doubt!