New York Yankees: Meet Eric Kratz, 37-Year-Old Suspension Savior
By Alex Mazer
On the eve of the MLB’s waiver-wire trade deadline, while teams were trading for big names like Justin Verlander and Justin Upton, the New York Yankees found a way to make the planet stand still, even if it was just for the moment it took to ask the question on everyone’s mind: Who in the world is Erik Kratz?
With suspensions still waiting to be served by New York Yankees catchers Gary Sanchez and Austin Romine for their involvement in the August 24th brawl(s) against the Detroit Tigers, the team is in need of some extra help behind the plate in the interim.
While the Yankees have catchers Eddy Rodriguez and Wilkin Castillo down in the farm system, Kyle Higashioka remains the only one currently on the 40-man roster.
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The only problem is, Higashioka is still nursing an injury and went 0-18 earlier this season while replacing the injured Gary Sanchez, making him an offensive liability. Any other option looks more appealing, which brings us to the Yankees latest addition.
When they acquired Erik Kratz yesterday from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for cash considerations, the Yankees received a lifelong journeyman.
Kratz has spent his entire time this season playing in the minors, hitting .270 with 13 home runs and 37 RBI for the Columbus Clippers, Cleveland’s Triple-A affiliate.
In his MLB career, he carries a .200 batting average with 24 homers and 73 RBI in 225 total games.
Kratz was originally drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 29th round of the 2002 Amateur Draft but never stepped onto an MLB field until the 2010 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
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Since then, he has donned the jerseys of the Philadelphia Phillies, Kansas City Royals, and Houston Astros, en route to now serving as the New York Yankees’ suspension savior.
So please welcome the new oldest man in the Yankee clubhouse next to Matt Holliday, and thank Erik Kratz for being just slightly better than Kyle Higashioka.