Andy Phillips Refuses AAA Assignment; Becomes Free Agent

[BoSox21]

NEW YORK - First baseman Andy Phillips refused the New York Yankees' outright assignment to triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday and became a free agent.

Phillips was designated for assignment on Tuesday, when the Yankees needed to clear a roster spot for backup catcher Jose Molina, who finalized a US$4-million, two-year contract.

Phillips batted .292 with two homers and 25 RBIs in 61 games for the Yankees. Promoted from triple-A on June 19, he played extensively at first base in place of injured Doug Mientkiewicz.

-Associated Press

[26 to 6]

Good luck Andy Phillips. Longtime product of the Yankees organization, it will certainly be wierd seeing him in another uniform. Hope he gets the shot he deserves though.

[26 to 6]

And has signed with the Reds on a Minor League deal. Interesting choice. If he was going to sign a minor legaue deal he might as well have stayed here, he likely would have made the team.

[Jayhawk Bill]

Originally Posted by 26 to 6

And has signed with the Reds on a Minor League deal. Interesting choice. If he was going to sign a minor legaue deal he might as well have stayed here, he likely would have made the team.

I'd disagree. The Yankees can always buy a better first baseman than Andy Phillips--some team will have an overpriced, fading, one-time free agent whose salary they're eager to ditch. Such players can be acquired for low-ceiling prospects by teams willing to pay them.

The Reds are more likely to use him, and--even more important--their ballpark will make Phillips look good enough to get a better deal next time.

I understand the Yankees choosing to assign him to AAA, even if it meant losing him. I very much understand his accepting a MiLB deal with the Reds when he wouldn't with the Yankees.

[a700hitter]

Originally Posted by 26 to 6

Good luck Andy Phillips. Longtime product of the Yankees organization, it will certainly be wierd seeing him in another uniform. Hope he gets the shot he deserves though.

I knew the Yankees were in trouble when I started hearing the Yankee announcers and fans singing Phillip's praises and then bemoaning his injury. He is an average Joe... a nobody. He is lucky to have played for a team like the Yankees. It will not be weird to see him in another uniform. It was weird for me seeing a guy like him starting for the Yankees.

[Optimist]

Originally Posted by 26 to 6

And has signed with the Reds on a Minor League deal. Interesting choice. If he was going to sign a minor legaue deal he might as well have stayed here, he likely would have made the team.

The Reds just love taking these minor Yankees. Didn't they sign Bubba Crosby a few years ago after we signed Damon?

[26 to 6]

I'm not saying Phillips is an All-Star, but he's versatile and has a good glove and can hit righties pretty well. With Keppinger already slated to be the 1Bman against lefties and Scott Hatteberg and Edwin Encarnacion on the team, there won't be much playing time for him. Surely he'd be worked into games, but I think it's a real possibility he doesn't make the team right out of camp.

[26 to 6]

Originally Posted by Optimist

The Reds just love taking these minor Yankees. Didn't they sign Bubba Crosby a few years ago after we signed Damon?

Yup, Bubba signed with the Reds prior to last season.

[Gom]

Phillips sucks. Just because you wore pinstripes doesn't make you a an All-Star.

[26 to 6]

who said he was an All-Star?

[Coco's Disciples]

Originally Posted by Gom

Phillips sucks. Just because you wore pinstripes doesn't make you a an All-Star.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh . Thats right, I forgot. Thanks.

[riverside sluggers]

Originally Posted by 26 to 6

Good luck Andy Phillips. Longtime product of the Yankees organization, it will certainly be wierd seeing him in another uniform. Hope he gets the shot he deserves though.