Ex-Mariner Richie Sexson agrees to deal with Yankees

NEW YORK — In an effort to shore up what has been a seasonlong vulnerability against left-handed pitching, the New York Yankees have turned to free-agent first baseman Richie Sexson.

The 6-foot-8 Sexson, released on July 10 by the Mariners, reached a contract agreement with the Yankees and is expected to join the team for tonight's game against Oakland at Yankee Stadium. He could be in the lineup as early as Saturday.

The Yankees will not officially announce the move until they first clear a spot on the roster.

The Yankees are responsible for only $161,296 — the prorated minimum major-league salary for Sexson this season. The Mariners are on the hook for approximately $5.79 million remaining on his $14 million salary for 2008.

The Mariners released the 33-year-old after he hit .218 with 11 home runs, 39 runs batted in and 76 strikeouts over 74 games.

"We gave Richie lots of rope to play with," Mariners interim general manager Lee Pelekoudas said when Sexson was released. "There just wasn't enough of an improvement for us."

But for the Yankees, the right-handed hitter represents an upgrade because he has hit .344 with a .423 on-base percentage and five home runs in 71 at-bats against left-handed pitching this season. Sexson hit only .178 against righties.

The Yankees have hit only .257 against left-handers with 28 home runs. They are 15-15 against left-handed starters.

New York is minus two of its top hitters. Leadoff man Johnny Damon is on the disabled list because of an injured left shoulder, and Hideki Matsui is sidelined with a sore knee that could require season-ending surgery.

The Yankees' lineup is packed with left-handed hitters — Damon, Matsui, Jason Giambi, Bobby Abreu and Robinson Cano swing from that side — and New York has struggled against lefty pitching all year. Sexson will give Yankees manager Joe Girardi a more palatable option.

Sexson has hit 30 or more homers six times, and also has six seasons of at least 100 RBI. He started his major-league career in 1997 with Cleveland and has also played for Milwaukee, Arizona and the Mariners.

Compiled from The Associated Press, Newsday and the Journal News of Westchester, N.Y.