Butler
would sign with the Yankees on Wednesday. The deal was announced Thursday.
The slugger was thrown right into the lineup Thursday night with
Boston Red Sox left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez starting the opener of a crucial
four-game series at Fenway Park. Butler was unavailable for comment before
Thursday's game because he was so late arriving to Fenway Park that he didn't
join his new club until after batting practice had begun.
So
is Girardi, who is hoping Butler can be a big boost when the Yanks, face
left-handed starters, and they're scheduled to face three in their four games
in Boston and another one or two when they continue the roadtrip next week in
Tampa Bay. Heading into Thursday, the Yanks were 20-21 against left-handed
starters and 57-47 against righties.
Butler
hit just .262 (27-for-103, 1 HR) against lefties this season, but he's a career
.299 hitter against them compared to .286 versus righties.
Butler
hit .276 with four homers and 31 RBIs in 85 games this season for Oakland, his
second with the club after playing his first eight for Kansas City. His
best season was 2012 when he hit .313 with 29 homers and 107 RBIs.
If
Butler does well, he'll probably return next season because the Yankees are
responsible for only the pro-rated Major League minimum of his $10 million
salary this season and $507,500 (the minimum) of the $10 million he's due in
2017.
Clippard
has a hunch Butler is going to give the Yankees a lift for their ongoing
playoff run.
