Yanks sign IF Berroa, and OF John Rodriguez to minor-league deal

[MagicBizkit87]

by Ken Rosenthal

Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005. He appears weekly on the FSN Baseball Report and MLB on FOX.

Updated: January 6, 2009, 6:11 PM EST 3 comments

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The Yankees have signed free-agent infielder Angel Berroa to a minor-league contract, according to major-league sources.

Berroa, 30, is expected to compete with Cody Ransom for the utility infielder job.

Berroa began last season with the Royals, but was traded to the Dodgers in June, where he filled in for the injured Rafael Furcal.

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http://blogs.nypost.com/sports/st/archives/2009/01/yanks_sign_john.html

Outfielder John Rodriguez, a native New Yorker who played two seasons with the Cardinals, was signed to a minor league contract by the Yankees New York Yankees , the Post has learned.

Rodriguez was originally signed by the Yankees in November 1996 and played in their minor league system through the 2004 season. The lefty swinger played 158 games Game reviews with St. Louis between 2005-06, hitting .298 with a .378 on base percentage in 158 games and 332 at-bats. He had seven homers and 43 RBIs. For the past two seasons, Rodriguez has played in Triple-A for the Cardinals, Rays and Mets New York Mets .

Rodriguez, who will turn 29 later this month, was signed to provide outfield depth, especially if the Yanks end up trading either Nick Swisher or Xavier Nady. If Rodriguez makes the major league roster, he will earn $450,000 plus incentives based on plate appearances.

[GimmeShelter]

There was a time (2003) where Berroa looked like a can't miss SS.

Both guys are worth it as organizational depth and Rodriguez allows a outfielder to be traded..

[Kidhuman]

I guess not bad pick ups. Berrora could prove to be a good utility player for the IF.