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LATROY HAWKINS, RHP
STATS

From Kenny Rosenthal of FoxSports.com:

The Yankees, rebuilding their setup corps, are close to signing free-agent right-hander LaTroy Hawkins to a one-year contract believed to be worth approximately $3.75 million, according to major-league sources.

Hawkins, 35, will help fill the void created by the loss of righty Luis Vizcaino, who declined salary arbitration from the Yankees, and righty Joba Chamberlain, who is expected to move into the starting rotation.

A few things about Hawkins. He’s bounced around the last few years with four different clubs (Cubs, Giants, Orioles and Rockies). He doesn’t strike out as many batters as he once did but still has pretty good life on his fastball. He relies mostly on getting batters to pound his splitter into the dirt.

I saw Hawkins a bit during the Rockies playoff run and I thought he still had decent stuff. I like the signing because it’s for only one year. If he works out, great! If not, it’ll be sayonara after the season.

Ask yourself this question: Would you rather have three years and $12 million of Vizcaino or one year and $3.75 million of Hawkins?

I’ll take my chances with Hawkins.

Also, when he pitched for the Orioles in 2006, he had a 3.06 ERA against the AL EAST, excluding the Yankees. He had a 6.43 ERA against the Bombers.

I think he’ll provide the bullpen with a veteran presence amongst all the youngsters and he’ll come at a discount.