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Juan Acevedo signs with Yankees
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This article was written 1/29/03
The Yankees Taking another step to make their bull pen stronger signed right handed Juan Acevedo to a minor leauge contract, and invited him to play in the 2003 Spring Training.
Juan Acevedo had an 1-5 and a 2.65 ERA and 28 saves playing for the Detroit Tigers,from filling in for Matt Anderson after getting injured during the season.
Acevedo will make up for the loss of the Yankees Ramiro Mendoza , who is playing for Boston says General Manager bryan Cashman. The Yankee's also made another deal with the White Sox. They gave Mike Stanton for righty Antonio Osuna.
"Juan became a closer last year, but in our evaluation, he's a guy who can help bridge the gap to get to Mariano [Rivera]," Cashman said. "He's more insurance in the absence of Mendoza than anything else."
Juan Acevendo who is currently 32 years old, will get a one year contract worth $900,000, an dis surley guaranteed $150,000 if making the big- leauge roster. But this is not the only thing if Acevendo is added to the Yankees roster New York will get a $3 million option for 2004 with a $50,000 buyout.
The Yankees have five players competing for a spot in the rotation, two pitchers will be headed for the bull pen as weel if nobody is traded. Randy Choate a left handed pitcher will be batting for a spot this season.
"When evaluating our pitching staff, our bullpen is the weaker aspect. Acevedo will come in and compete for an opportunity to pitch on that staff," Cashman said. "It will be an uphill battle because of the numbers game, because there isn't a fit yet. That doesn't mean that trade talks or injuries can't push him in to the mix. That, combined with Juan showing us what he can do for us, he could open a lot of eyes. He has a little mountain to climb, but I think he's up for that challenge."
Written by Angelo Presta
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