If you were waiting for the first shot to be fired in the annual mid-season race to load up on other team’s talent, the Yankees have your answer. Seattle cast-off Richie Sexson has agreed to sign with the Yankees for the base minimum of $390,000. Once a terror at the plate, Sexson had become a black hole in the Mariners lineup, hitting a robust .218 in 74 games for the M’s before his release. The Yankees, starved for a DH after Hideki Matsui’s injury, look at Sexson as a low buy that could yield value.

Not everything about Sexson’s game sucks. Sure, he can’t field. Sure, he can’t hit a curveball. Sure, he can’t drive in guys in scoring position. Sure, he can’t hit right handers. But one thing Sexson can do is bring power to the lineup against left handed pitchers (Scott Kazmir, we’re looking at you). Sexson surprisingly hit .344 against lefties this season, a respectable mark given his overall numbers. His addition means Jason Giambi’s defensive liabilities can be rotated in and out and that the Yankees don’t have to look to guys like Chad Moeller to DH. Another reason Sexson provides value comes with the ongoing brawls that have occurred between the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays. Remember this? All 6 foot 8 inches of Sexson barreling down during a fight is an intimidation factor worth the $390,000 that the Yankees are paying him.