Reports: The Yankees sign ex-A's DH Billy Butler for the stretch run
The New York Yankees have signed former A’s and Royals designated hitter Billy Butler, according to multiple reports.
Billy Butler tells me @JonHeyman report is accurate and he is joining the Yankees.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) September 15, 2016
Butler was waived by Oakland this week and will join the team immediately, with the Yankees chasing a wild-card berth and also four games back in the AL East.
FOX Sports Insider Ken Rosenthal reports the Yankees intend to deploy the switch hitter against left-handed starters, with seven of their next 11 games slated against lefties. Butler has been better against righthanders this season, but markedly more successful against lefthanders over the past four years (.847 OPS vs. lefties, .749 against righties).
Source confirms: #Yankees sign Billy Butler. Will use him against lefties; they face seven in next 11 games. First reported: @Jonheyman.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 15, 2016
Butler, 30, hit a middling .276 with four home runs and 31 RBI in 85 games for the A’s this season. After enjoying a peak year with the Royals in 2012, he has declined steeply since, reduced to spot duty this season for the first time in his career.
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