Yankees Sign Jason Lane

The Yankees have signed 31 year-old former Astro Jason Lane to a minor league deal. Lane is primarily an outfielder, but could be a first base option for the Yankees. My guess is he will compete for the first base job with Shelley Duncan and Wilson Betemit in Spring Training. Even if he loses out there, he could be kept on the roster as an outfielder. In 2005, Lane's first season with regular playing time, he hit 26 homers, with an OPS+ of 109. In the last two years, though, he has been horrible. With an OPS+ of 81 in '06 and 54 last year. Lane also happens to be one of the rare players who throws left and bats right. Overall, I like this move. Its low-risk, medium reward. At worst, you get a minor leaguer getting paid the minimum. At best, you get a solid first-basemen/bench player.