Yankees Sign Park

The Yankees have signed pitcher Chan Ho Park to a one-year contract worth $1.2 million. Park, who is 36 years old, played with the NL Champion Philadelphia Phillies last season. The Yankees plan to keep Park in the bullpen, as opposed to battling for the fifth and final spot in the Yankees starting rotation. The Yankees have not looked to expand payroll, but Yankees GM Brian Cashman saw an opportunity to get a reliable pitcher at a cheap price and he followed through. Park rejected a $3.25 million offer to stay with the Phillies, and his value dropped since then.

The Yankees acquisition of Park doesn't necessarily make them a better team. The Yankees still have their core players of C.C Sabathia, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira. Those guys are going to be the players who will help the Yankees get another championship in 2010 if they do get there. However, the bullpen did lose a little when they traded Brian Bruney, so this acquisition helps. Their bullpen also wasn't too reliable, especially towards the end of the season, so if Park is effective, it can help.