New York Yankees Sign Matt Holliday To One-Year Deal

The New York Yankees have agreed to a deal with free agent Matt Holliday.

The New York Yankees have made their first signing of free agency. They have agreed to a one-year, $13 million deal with veteran Matt Holliday. The news was first reported by Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

Holliday, a left fielder normally, will help fill the void at designated hitter for the Yankees that was left with the trade of Brian McCann to the Houston Astros. The 37-year old will also help out at first base, as he is expected to take some reps as the backup to Greg Bird, who is the projected starter.

Holliday fits into the Yankees plans perfectly. He did not demand the long-term deal that a player such as Yoenis Cespedes landed or Edwin Encarnacion is looking for. He is making $13 million for 2017, but he does not come with anywhere near the risks that a long-term deal would.

Holliday will help be a bridge for the Yankees as they prep their young players on how to be major leaguers. Holliday is a consummate professional and will have a lot to teach the young players. He has been involved in plenty of playoff races and should have a ton of knowledge to share with youngsters.

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The Yankees are hoping that Holliday has something left in the tank beyond experience and wisdom to bestow upon his new teammates. He has not aged particularly well, as he has struggled the past two seasons. He has battled injuries, appearing in 183 games the past two seasons.

But, the Yankees will not be relying on Holliday to do more than chip in on the field. He will be relied upon as a hitter at DH, something he may still produce at. While his  batting average and on-base percentage were career lows last season, Holliday still had some pop in his bat. He had 20 home runs and 20 doubles with one

He had 20 home runs and 20 doubles with one triple while driving in 62 RBI. Holliday normally makes contact, as he does not strikeout much with only 71 in 382 at-bats last season.

There is no guarantee that Holliday will produce at a designated hitter after being a full-time player in the National League for his whole career outside of 93 games with the Oakland Athletics in 2009. But, there is no guarantee that the Yankees will be any good, so it is a worthwhile risk.

If Holliday plays well the Yankees could flip him for more prospects at the trade deadline like they did with veterans this past season. Or, they could bring him back again in 2018 if he shows well in 2017. If Holliday does not produce and has nothing left in the tank the Yankees can just wash their hands of Holliday after the season as he signed only a one-year deal.

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It is a low-risk, high reward type of move for the Yankees. They have nothing to lose by bringing in Holliday on a one-year deal as a flier. He does not clog up their future salary cap and gives the Yankees some much-needed help at designated hitter.