Yankees Finalize 1-Year Deal With Travis Hafner
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The Yankees have added some veteran pop to their lineup.
Travis Hafner and the Yankees have agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract that allows him to earn up to $4 million more in bonuses based on plate appearances.
Hafner would likely be the Yankees' starting DH against right-handed pitchers. Hafner has a career batting line of .287/.391/.534 against righties.
The Indians declined the veteran's $13 million option in October, opting for a $2.75 million buyout.
Hafner was placed on the disabled list in May with a knee injury and then again in August with lower back inflammation. The 6-foot-3, 240-pounder played in just 66 games for Cleveland, batting .228 with 12 home runs and 34 RBIs.
The 35-year-old is a lifetime .278 hitter with 201 home runs and 694 RBIs. His best season came in 2006, when he batted .308, belted 42 home runs and had 117 RBIs.
The signing brings the Yankees' projected payroll to about $208 million for 18 players.
Hafner has not played the field since 2007 because of a spate of injuries and has appeared in the field in just 72 games over 11 big league seasons. He's played in more than 100 games only once since 2008.
Selected by Texas in the 31st round of the 1996 amateur draft, Hafner made his major league debut six years later.
He would earn $100,000 apiece for 150 plate appearances, 155 and each additional 15 through 275 under Friday's deal. He would receive $125,000 apiece for 290 and each additional 15 through 425, and $175,000 apiece for 440 and each additional 15 through 575.
To clear a roster spot, the Yankees designated outfielder Russ Canzler for assignment.
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