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Oh well not one of the pitchers out there that I wanted the Yanks to pick up but its another arm that we have..
Updated: July 13, 2006, 5:22 PM ET
Yankees add Ponson to help fill out rotationBy Jerry Crasnick
ESPN.com
Right-hander Sidney Ponson, who became a free agent when he was released by the St. Louis Cardinals, has reached agreement on a deal with the New York Yankees, ESPN.com has learned.
Ponson, 4-4 with a 5.24 ERA in 14 appearances with St. Louis this season, lost his spot in the rotation when the Cardinals signed Jeff Weaver. Since Ponson cleared waivers Wednesday, the Yankees will be responsible for the pro-rated portion of the minimum salary for the rest of this season. St. Louis will pay the rest of Ponson's $1 million salary.
Ponson helps fill a void at the back end of Joe Torre's rotation. Mike Mussina, 10-3 with a 3.24 ERA, is the only New York starter with an ERA under 4.00.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Thursday the deal "made sense, compared to everything else that was available to us."
Once among baseball's more promising pitchers, Ponson's career has been derailed by alcohol problems. Baltimore released him last September, saying his behavior gave them grounds to terminate his contract.
Ponson is set to make his first start for the Yankees on Tuesday night at home against Seattle.
"He's still got a great arm," Cashman said.
Ponson won 17 games in 2003 when he pitched for Baltimore and San Francisco, but has struggled on and off the field since then.
Ponson was convicted last December of driving while impaired and sentenced to five days in jail -- his arrest in August marked his third drunk driving offense. The pitcher also spent 11 days in jail in his native Aruba after fighting on a beach.
Cashman said the Yankees believe Ponson is worth the risk because he's made changes to his life. Ponson is expected to fly into New York on Friday.
"It's hard to upgrade your pitching, it really is," Cashman said. "Hopefully, this is something that will work out for us. It's low risk and hopefully we'll get some upside out of this."
Updated: July 13, 2006, 5:22 PM ET
Yankees add Ponson to help fill out rotationBy Jerry Crasnick
ESPN.com
Right-hander Sidney Ponson, who became a free agent when he was released by the St. Louis Cardinals, has reached agreement on a deal with the New York Yankees, ESPN.com has learned.
Ponson, 4-4 with a 5.24 ERA in 14 appearances with St. Louis this season, lost his spot in the rotation when the Cardinals signed Jeff Weaver. Since Ponson cleared waivers Wednesday, the Yankees will be responsible for the pro-rated portion of the minimum salary for the rest of this season. St. Louis will pay the rest of Ponson's $1 million salary.
Ponson helps fill a void at the back end of Joe Torre's rotation. Mike Mussina, 10-3 with a 3.24 ERA, is the only New York starter with an ERA under 4.00.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Thursday the deal "made sense, compared to everything else that was available to us."
Once among baseball's more promising pitchers, Ponson's career has been derailed by alcohol problems. Baltimore released him last September, saying his behavior gave them grounds to terminate his contract.
Ponson is set to make his first start for the Yankees on Tuesday night at home against Seattle.
"He's still got a great arm," Cashman said.
Ponson won 17 games in 2003 when he pitched for Baltimore and San Francisco, but has struggled on and off the field since then.
Ponson was convicted last December of driving while impaired and sentenced to five days in jail -- his arrest in August marked his third drunk driving offense. The pitcher also spent 11 days in jail in his native Aruba after fighting on a beach.
Cashman said the Yankees believe Ponson is worth the risk because he's made changes to his life. Ponson is expected to fly into New York on Friday.
"It's hard to upgrade your pitching, it really is," Cashman said. "Hopefully, this is something that will work out for us. It's low risk and hopefully we'll get some upside out of this."
I LOVE IT....
MY MEAT IN THE HOT DESERT.......
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