Yanks sign Sergio Mitre

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NEW YORK -- The Yankees dipped into Joe Girardi's managerial past to produce an option for their future pitching staff on Monday, agreeing to a Minor League contract with right-hander Sergio Mitre.

Mitre, who turns 28 in February, is recovering from Tommy John ligament replacement surgery in July and was a member of Girardi's stable in 2006, when both were in Florida Marlins uniforms.

"We've agreed in principle to a Minor League contract," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "He's rehabbing from Tommy John and he's on a Minor League contract, so it doesn't really affect anything on the Major League side. We hope someday it could."

The Major League portion of Mitre's contract is for $1.25 million, and there is a team option for 2010.

Due to the severe surgery on his right elbow, Mitre may not be ready to pitch until midseason, according to his agent, Matt Sosnick. Normal recovery time from Tommy John surgery is 12-18 months.

"About eight teams showed interest," Sosnick said. "The Yankees showed the most interest."

When healthy, Mitre has tremendous upside. He could be a key contributor for New York in the second half, working either out of the rotation or in the bullpen.

"We'll help finish off his rehab, and hopefully have someone that could, once healthy, push his way into the mix at some point," Cashman said. "Once we get him healthy, we'll get a look and a feel what's best for our needs, but first, we've got to get him healthy."

Mitre broke in with the Cubs, but he was traded to the Marlins before the 2006 season as part of the Juan Pierre deal. In 2007, the right-hander went 5-8 with a 4.65 ERA in 27 games, all starts. He threw 149 innings.

A sinkerballer, Mitre was especially effective early in 2007. In May of that year, he was 2-0 with a 1.12 ERA in 40 1/3 innings. As the season progressed, however, he dealt with fatigue, and his second-half statistics suffered. In 12 starts after the All-Star break, he was 2-4 with a 7.27 ERA.

Mitre entered Spring Training with the chance to be among Florida's top three starting pitchers. However, he made just one appearance in Grapefruit League action, facing three batters without recording an out before being lifted with forearm tightness.

Cashman said that he used Girardi as a resource in considering signing Mitre.

"I was able to pick Joey's brain about his experience with him, because our pro scouting department certainly had interest in him," Cashman said.

The signing of Mitre could be a precursor to a busy week for the Yankees. Cashman arrived in Dana Point, Calif., on Sunday for the General Managers Meetings, which opened on Monday at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Hotel.

"We hope to do bigger and better than a Minor League contract with some people, but we'll see," Cashman said.

Honestly, who needs CC Sabathia anyway when you can get this stud

[DirtyKash]

Does this mean that Sidney Ponson and Carl Pavano aren't coming back?

[love_that_reefer]

This is just the first of many moves.