Yanks Designate Randy Winn for Assignment

Randy Winn was ready for bad news on Friday, and he wasn't surprised when it came. To open a roster spot for Curtis Granderson to be activated from the disabled list, the Yankees designated Winn for assignment, dumping the veteran outfielder from the roster after he hit .213 through 29 games.

"A move was going to have to be made," Winn said. "Curtis was coming back. I played terrible. It fits."

Winn has been an all-star and he has a career batting average of .285 through 13 major-league seasons, but at 36 years old he struggled in a part-time role with the Yankees. He had been a regular since 2001, but the Yankees signed him to a $1.1 million deal this winter to serve as their fifth outfielder. He seemed to never adjust to having only occasional at-bats.

"I don't think that's an excuse," he said. "I just didn't play well, period. When I hit the ball, guys on the other teams were catching it. That was the bottom line."

In dumping Winn, the Yankees chose to keep 25-year-old Kevin Russo, who had been the Yankees' left fielder in the last few games before Granderson's return. Russo came through the minor leagues as an infielder, but he has learned to play all three outfield spots.

"We like the versatility that Russo gives us being able to play a number of positions for us," manager Joe Girardi said. "He's played well since he's been up here and we went with the versatility."
The Yankees now have 10 days to either trade Winn or pass him through waivers. Winn said he has not thought about what his next move might be.

"I'm going to go home and play with my kids, and that's all I'm thinking about right now," he said. "Although I was prepared for the possibility of it, I have not thought that far ahead."

Well good riddance. Winn not only couldn't hit the ball, but he couldn't play defense either, something he usually does pretty well.