Sexson on Saturday?

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Yankees are close to signing Richie Sexson. Sexson will play first base against lefties, and the Yankees will hope his abilities against southpaws is enough to help them down the stretch. It sounds like his relationship with the Mariners was either strained or odd.

The Mariners released him after he spent time during a game in the bullpen with the team's relievers instead of sitting on the bench.

"Having him sitting in the bullpen didn't help his case any," manager Jim Riggleman told reporters. "The question is, 'Why did he go down there?' It's happened before with other guys, and usually it's just a playful thing. But you have to wonder, didn't he want to be on the bench with us?"

Nonetheless, Sexson is going to have pressure to perform in the Bronx. Sexson hit .344 against lefties this season compared to .178 against righties. The Yankees will face lefty Greg Smith and the Oakland A's on Satuday, so that might be Sexson's first shot with New York.