Some minor transactions:

• Mighty Matt DeSalvo, the Yanks’ 2005 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, signed with the Braves. This is a sad, sad day in Mike A. land. Almost as sad as when Mike Richter announced his retirement.
• Andy Phillips inked a deal with the Reds. Kinda shocked it wasn’t the Dodgers.
• The Yanks signed RHP Scott Strickland, LHP Heath Phillips, LHP Billy Traber, C Jason Brown and IF Nick Green to minor league deals.

Brown and Green have spent time with the organization before. Strickland is a career journeyman, last pitching in the bigs with Houston back in 2005. The Padres released him in Spring Training last year just before his $550k salary was to be guaranteed. Traber was a first round pick way back in 2000, but has bounced from club to club and got pounded with the Nats last year (39.2 IP, 50 H, 21 ER, 13 BB, 27 K). I figure he’ll at least get a look-see in Spring Training to see if he can be an effective lefty specialist.

Heath Phillips is actually a halfway decent arm, and part of me was hoping the Yanks would take a flier on him after the ChiSox choose not to tender him a contract in December. He’s a barrel chested soon-to-be 26 year old workhorse with a high-80’s sinker and a rainbow curve. He can get into trouble by leaving pitches up in the zone, but he limits the damage because he keeps his walks down. This, ladies and gentlemen, is your LOOGY sleeper.

Update: Here’s a clip of Phillips (not Andy, obviously):

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PeteAbe’s got the word:

The New York Yankees announced today they have signed catcher Jose Molina to a two-year contract. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated infielder Andy Phillips for assignment.

Well, we all knew the Yanks would have to start clearing room on the 40-man roster soon enough. We all know about everything Andy’s gone through and how great of a person he is, but he was given plenty of chances and never really did enough to warrant a job. He’ll land on his feet.

The Yanks still have to clear room for A-Rod, Pettitte and Mo, so this won’t be the last of the 40-man cuts.

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Pete Abraham has the scoop: Andy Phillips is returning. He speculates that Josh Phelps will be the odd man out. Methinks it’s Basak. I’ll update this post when we hear more.

Update: Tyler Kepner says it’s Phelps. While there is no official confirmation (i.e., from Brian Cashman), it would appear this is accurate.

And dumb.

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The Star Ledger is reporting, through an anonymous source, that Andy Phillips was placed on outright waivers yesterday. As many of us have been saying over the past week or so (or even longer), this was a no-brainer move. Yeah, you have to feel bad for Andy and the conditions surrounding him. But he’s simply not good enough to cut it.

Phelps, on the other hand, even at 28 years old has plenty of upside. He may pan out during the season, and he may not. Regardless of the eventual outcome, though, this was the correct move.

I’m not sure what other teams would have a need for Phillips, and I don’t (from my pedestrian view) see much of a reason that he won’t clear waivers and head with Phil Hughes and Tyler Clippard to Scranton.

Hat tip to Steve for the link.

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