The New York Yankees have signed free-agent pitcher Carlos Silva to a minor-league contract.
Silva will report to the Yankees’ training facilities in Tampa on Tuesday.
The veteran pitcher was released by the Chicago Cubs at the end of Spring Training. He will receive $11.5 million in salary for the 2011 season. The Yankees are responsible for the league minimum ($414,000) if Silva makes the big league roster. The Cubs are responsible for the difference.
Silva had a decent first half for the Cubs last season starting 9-3 with a 3.45 ERA. But he was injured and ineffective after June when his ERA was 11.12 after the All-Star break and his WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) doubled from 1.14 to 2.47.
He was even worse this spring with an ERA of 15.88 and essentially forced the Cubs’ hand by saying he would not accept a minor league assignment.
Silva will get an opportunity in New York with the Yankees constantly searching for pitching depth. With the early season struggles of Phil Hughes and AJ Burnett combining with the question marks surrounding Ivan Nova, Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon, and Kevin Millwood, Silva will hope to make it back to the big leagues and make an impact with the Yankees as soon as possible.
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