TAMPA — The addition of Chan Ho Park to the Yankees’ bullpen doesn’t present an over-crowding problem for Brian Cashman or Joe Girardi.
Though Cashman refused to publicly admit the Yankees and the veteran right-hander have agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.2 million that will become official when the 36-year-old passes a physical, the GM said he believes there isn’t any such thing as too deep a ‘pen.
“The more the merrier,’’ Cashman said. “You can never have enough.’’
Girardi echoed his boss.
“We will make sure we will take the best 12 guys,’’ Girardi said. “Having more quality arms than spots is a luxury.’’
Park, who pitched effectively for the Phillies against the Yankees in last year’s World Series, was in South Korea on Sunday and has to travel to Tampa to take the physical. He is not expected in camp until Wednesday or Thursday.
There is an additional $300,000 in incentives for Park, who has pitched for the Dodgers (twice), Rangers, Padres, Mets and Phillies.
The Yankees view Park strictly as a reliever, and not part of the battle for the fifth starter’s job.
Park had been on the Yankees’ radar for the past two years, but he really left a positive impression by throwing 3 1/3 shutout innings in four appearances in last year’s World Series. As a reliever, the Yankees noticed, Park’s stuff played up; his fastball reached 96 mph and his curveball remained crisp.
The Yankees also liked that Park had a reputation as a good teammate who works hard to stay in shape. In addition, he has been in the playoffs each of the past two seasons, for the Dodgers in 2008 and the Phillies last year.
In 16 seasons, Park is 120-95 with a 4.53 ERA in 423 games (287 starts).
“I have heard great things about him,’’ Jorge Posada said. “He has great arm. He was throwing 96-97 mph fastballs and they had movement. He had a great slider and changeup.’’
Park was 3-3 with a 4.43 ERA last year in 45 appearances, including seven starts. But his ERA as strictly a reliever was 2.52.
Essentially, the Yankees had $2 million remaining in their budget when Randy Winn was signed for a $1.1 million. But as Park’s price kept falling, Cashman continued to lobby ownership to expand the payroll because the organization viewed Park as one of the top relievers on the market.
When the price fell further over the course of the week, from $1.5 million to $1.2 million, Yankees ownership finally approved the signing. Park had rejected a $3.25 million offer to stay in Philadelphia in the middle of the offseason, and his price was steadily falling since then. The Cubs were among the teams hoping to sign him recently.
The Yankees traded Brian Bruney at the Winter Meetings because they felt he would be overpaid. He lost in arbitration last week and was awarded $1.5 million. The Yankees view Park as far superior to Bruney, which was another reason the $1.2 million price tag was too hard to ignore.
This signing likely puts even more pressure on Cashman, however, to trade Chad Gaudin ($2.95 million) or Sergio Mitre ($850,000) to bring down the payroll more to ownership’s liking.
Alfredo Aceves, who was very effective a year ago in relief, has options, so he could be sent to Triple-A. But he probably have to pitch poorly for that to happen.
“It’s not in my hands, it’s their decision,’’ said Aceves, who if given the option would prefer starting to relieving. “You do more in the game, you spend more time and pitch more innings. I really enjoy it.’’
The Yankees see Park deepening what they already considered a strong bullpen. Mariano Rivera, David Robertson, Damaso Marte, Aceves and the loser of the Joba Chamberlain vs. Phil Hughes fifth starter battle, and now Park, are pretty much guaranteed roles.
The Yankees would love to see Boone Logan assume the other role to give Girardi a second lefty in tandem with Marte.
Even with the signing of Park, the Yankees are not currently considering sending the loser of the Chamberlain-Hughes battle to the minors to stay stretched out as a starter. But the presence of Park, at the least, can make the Yankees more comfortable with that option. Remember that in their best-laid plans, the Yankees imagine Chamberlain and Hughes in their 2011 rotation, which would be easier if both stayed stretched out this year.
The Yankees are at the full limit on the 40-man roster, so somebody has to be deleted when Park’s deal becomes official.