Yankees Add Bats from Both Sides: Fan Reaction (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

The New York Yankees have made additions to their bench from both sides of the plate as they signed left-handed slugger Russell Branyan and right-handed hitting Bill Hall. Both players received Minor League contracts and invitations to Spring Training, and both will have fair...

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Russell Branyan agrees to deal with Yankees (AP)

Russell Branyan has agreed to a minor league contract with the New York Yankees and will try to win a bench job as a corner infielder during spring training. The Yankees announced the deal Wednesday. He would get a $750,000, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster. Branyan hit .197 with five homers and 14 RBIs in 127 at-bats last season for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Angels,...

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Yankees Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

As the Yankees continue to move through the marketplace in search of an extra left-handed bat, they are considering whether potential players have had success in New York before.

That's why, in part, hitters such as Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon have appeal. But the Yankees are not ruling out players who have not called the Big Apple home.

Manager Joe Girardi admitted that having some sort of New York background is a help, but was also quick to point out: "When you think about Raul Ibanez, he's had success wherever he's gone, too."

It's unclear whether the Yankees will sign someone to take up the at-bats lost when Jesus Montero, who was set to be the designated hitter, was sent to Seattle in the Michael Pineda trade.

They did add Bill Hall as a utility...

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Report: Yankees to Keep Montero Off the Field During Winter (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

The New York Yankees aren't taking any chances with rookie catcher Jesus Montero, barring the 21-year-old from playing winter baseball as a safety precaution, the New York Post reports. "He wanted to, but he doesn't need the at-bats and with a catcher, you want to...

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Shifty playoff teams overload against lefty bats (AP)

Mark Teixeira took a well-timed swing and sent a line drive whistling toward shallow right field. Base hit off the bat, except for this: That's exactly where the Tigers' second baseman was standing. The infield shift is on in October, and teams are leaning right. Looking to make life difficult for those pull-happy sluggers, playoff opponents keep clogging one side of the diamond when the...

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Yanks’ Bats Help CC End Two-game Skid (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Home runs by Nick Swisher (15), Andruw Jones (8) and Mark Teixeira (33) anchored the New York Yankees' 15-hit attack in an 8-4 win over the Minnesota Twins Thursday night at Target Field. They also provided CC Sabathia (W, 17-7) with enough run support to end the lefty's...

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Yankees’ Rodriguez participates in simulated game (Yahoo! Sports)

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez participated in a simulated game on Sunday in Florida, and there is a possibility he may return to the Yankees lineup as early as Thursday, ESPNNewYork.com reported. Rodriguez had four hits in his 13 simulated at-bats, and he struck out...

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A-Rod homers, doubles in first rehab game (Yahoo! Sports)

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez homered and doubled in his first two at-bats and went 2-for-3 as the designated hitter for Class A Tampa on Friday night as he started a rehab from July 11 surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee.

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Jeter gets one hit — two shy of 3,000 (updates with quotes) (Yahoo! Sports)

New York Yankees star Derek Jeter moved within two hits of 3,000 with a line-drive double to lead off the bottom of the first inning on Thursday night at Yankee Stadium. However, he went hitless in his other four at-bats against the Tampa Bay Rays in the Yankees' 5-1 loss,...

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