Yankees acquire veteran outfielder Cameron Maybin
Cameron Maybin runs off the field after the top of the first inning against the Astros at Safeco Field on Aug. 1, 2018 in Seattle. Credit: Getty Images/Lindsey Wasson
ANAHEIM, Calif. – With their already depleted outfield taking yet another hit Wednesday with the addition of Clint Frazier to the injured list, the Yankees traded for some much-needed outfield help Thursday, acquiring veteran Cameron Maybin from the Indians for cash considerations, the team announced.
The Yankees signed Maybin to a major-league contract and selected him to the 25-man roster. To make room for Maybin on the 40-man roster, the Yankees transferred righthander Luis Severino to the 60-day IL.
Maybin, 32, was in the minors with the Indians at Triple-A Columbus where he was hitting .216 with a .663 OPS.
Still, the Yankees, who currently have outfielders Aaron Hicks, Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Clint Frazier on the IL and are down to Brett Gardner, Mike Tauchman and utility player Tyler Wade, a natural infielder, available as outfielders, are in desperation mode.
And Maybin, who has logged 12 seasons in the big leagues, has only played in the outfield and at all three positions.
In his career Maybin, a first-round pick of the Tigers (10th overall) in the 2005 draft who made his major-league debut at the Stadium against the Yankees Aug. 17, 2007, has a .254/.322/.368 slash line with 60 homers, 168 doubles, 33 triples and 315 RBIs.
“He’s not the answer,” one opposing team talent evaluator said. “But he’s what’s available this time of year.”
And the Yankees, who returned Gary Sanchez from the IL Wednesday only to add Frazier later in the night to keep the number of players there at 13, had to do something.
