[bigboydan]

I can't believe the Yankees signed this stiff LaTroy Hawkins. This guy is just flat out brutal when it comes to key spots in games over these past few seasons.

NEW YORK -- Moving to shore up their weak middle relief, the New York Yankees reached a preliminary agreement on a $3.75 million, one-year contract with right-hander LaTroy Hawkins.

Hawkins' deal is subject to him passing a physical, a baseball official familiar with the negotiations said Sunday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the contract has not been finalized.

The right-hander, who will be 35 on Dec. 21, was 2-5 with a 3.42 ERA last season for the Colorado Rockies. He made $3.25 million and Colorado declined a $3.75 million option, choosing to pay a $250,000 buyout.

New York's middle relievers struggled last season, with Kyle Farnsworth and Luis Vizcaino pitching inconsistently for long stretches and the Yankees converting Joba Chamberlain, a starter in the minors, into a reliever for the final two months of the season. Chamberlain became Mariano Rivera's primary setup man, but New York plans on including Chamberlain in its starting rotation next year.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said he hoped to re-sign Vizcaino, who on Friday declined the team's offer of salary arbitration.

Hawkins pitched for the Minnesota Twins from 1995-2003, then moved on to the Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles and the Rockies. He made five postseason appearances this year, allowing one run and one hit in five innings.

[ChuteBoxe]

Why would they get this bum??

[onlooker]

Excellent pick up. If you know what I mean.

[fifawcs]

They got him for the purpose of eating up innings. Vizcaino didn't want to come back, so they needed to find a replacement. Hopefully, their starters will give long innings so that the bullpen will be well rested.

[tblues2005]

You can tell how desperate the Yankees are these days!