MLB Rumors: Yankees Could Sign Mark Prior To Minor League Deal

According to Tom Krasovic of AOL Fanhouse, it’s down to the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers on a minor league deal for Mark Prior.

Like I wrote about Rich Harden, it appears the Yankees would like to sign some low risk, high reward types in case Andy Pettitte doesn’t sign. That way they can have some guys with big potential battle it out with the rookies including Ivan Nova for the fifth starter spot.

Prior was once the top young starter in baseball, but he has made Carl Pavano look like Lou Gehrig. He hasn’t pitched since 2006. His last and only full season in the majors was in 2003.

Prior was actually drafted by the Yankees as the 43rd overall pick in the 1998 draft, but  he didn’t sign. Instead he went to the University of Southern California and was eventually drafted by the Cubs second overall after Joe Mauer in the 2001 draft.

I actually read a really good story last year about Prior and his struggle to stay in baseball. I’ll have to dig to find it so I’m only going to look it up if he does indeed sign. If any readers know what I’m talking about and want to share a link that would be really cool.