Derek Lowe Reportedly Signed by New York Yankees

The New York Yankees have reportedly added Derek Lowe to their pitching rotation as the MLB postseason continues to draw nearer.

Major League Baseball reported via Twitter that the Cleveland Indians released Lowe yesterday.

"

OFFICIAL: @indians release RHP Derek Lowe.

— MLB (@MLB) August 10, 2012"

Today, the Star-Ledger’s Marc Carig reports the Yankees have decided to give the 39-year-old a new opportunity, and that Lowe will be featured in the bullpen.

"

"Source: Yankees have acquired Derek Lowe."

— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) August 11, 2012"

"

"Indeed, Lowe is a bullpen guy for the Yankees.. Phelps starts monday."

— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) August 11, 2012"

Lowe is a two-time All-Star who had a 5.52 ERA through 21 outings this season, but a poor 41-to-45 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

The Yankees—unlike the Indians, who are 10 games back in the AL Central—are very much alive in the postseason race. They currently lead the Baltimore Orioles by six games atop the AL East.

The team’s 3.78 team ERA ranks 10^th in baseball and the pitching staff’s .268 batting average allowed ranks 19^th in the majors. Lowe provides the Yankees with an experienced an inexpensive option to help improve those numbers.

Lowe is already cemented in Yankees history for reasons that the team’s fans have tried to forget. The righty was pitching and recorded the win for the Boston Red Sox in their historic Game 7 win of the AL Championship Series in 2004.

Lowe is no longer the same player he was then, but he has been through deep playoff runs and has a World Series ring.

The Yankees, as always, expect nothing less than a championship this season. Signing a player with Lowe’s experience for cheap will not make a huge impact, but it is still a smart move going forward.