When Reid Brignac arrived at Yankee Stadium yesterday, the new Yankee was excited to see his name in the lineup card. But he’ll have to wait just a bit longer to make his debut in pinstripes after the game with the Blue Jays was rained out.
“I’m a little disappointed. I was very eager to play,” Brignac said. “I was just excited to get out there especially at home playing the first game in Yankee Stadium. I was definitely looking forward to it, but we’ll go on the road and do some work and then come back.”
Brignac, who was penciled in the No. 8 slot at shortstop, was traded to the Yankees on Saturday from the Rockies for cash considerations. He was batting .250 with a home run and six RBIs in 48 games, but the home run and half of those RBIs came in his past two games.
“Hopefully they don’t just look at me as a defensive player and hopefully I’ll swing the bat well, because I’ve been feeling really good in the box,” he said. “Had a tough gig coming off the bench and pinch-hitting with Colorado but had success and I’m in a good place mentally and physically in the box.”
What Brignac brings to the Yankees is a left-handed option off the bench, and superb defense. He plays three infield positions and the outfield. In 15 games with the Rockies, Brignac played second base, third base, left field and shortstop.
“I’ve seen him have some big days and good years. I think there’s some good talent there, so we’re going to see what he can do,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “I think he’s a really good defender and I think he’s got some pop in his bat and this ballpark might play well for that.”
Brignac was drafted by the Rays in 2004 and played for Tampa Bay from 2008 until his release prior to spring training in February. If he makes his debut tonight it will be in Baltimore against the Orioles, whom he has three home runs and 11 RBIs against — both his most against any team. Playing in the AL East for the majority of his career is also a plus.
“I know all these hitters in this division. How to position myself and where to play. In the National League, I didn’t really know a lot of those guys, never faced a lot of them either,” Brignac said before the rainout. “So it will be good to get in the box against some guys I’ve faced and have some history with.”
With two third basemen — Alex Rodriguez and Kevin Youkilis — and two shortstops — Derek Jeter and Eduardo Nunez — on the disabled list, Brignac should have chances to fill in temporarily.
“Hopefully I can produce offensively as well as defensively but it definitely helps out that I can play multiple positions. I can play third, second, short, so I am very versatile. I can play outfield as well if they need me to,” he said.