Agrees to one-year deal.
Remember way back before Derek Jeter and Paul O’Neill, when the Yankees weren’t any good? Remember how one of their better players on those mediocre teams was Roberto Kelly? Well the Yankees, in an effort to bolster their bench and provide insurance for their unsettled left field situation, have brought back Kelly.
The Yankees signed Kelly to a minor-league contract yesterday and the 35-year-old outfielder will have a shot to compete for a spot on the major-league roster. If he makes the club, he will earn $800,000 with a chance to make $1.3 million, including incentives.
At best, he could be used as a regular left fielder if things don’t work out with Ricky Ledee or Shane Spencer, but it is more likely he will be competing for a job off the bench as a fourth outfielder.
“Obviously, we want one of the young kids to establish themselves out there,” Yankee GM Brian Cashman said. “But Roberto provides us with some insurance. But he’ll have to earn his spot.”
Kelly, who came up in the Yankee organization and played for the big league club from 1987-92, was traded to the Reds for O’Neill and Joe DeBerry in November of ’92.
The Yankees also came to terms with reliever Jason Grimsley, giving him a one-year, $750,000 contract. Grimsley, 32, was 7-2 last season.