Second baseman Brian Roberts’ time in New York is over.
The Yankees released Roberts before Saturday’s game against the Cleveland Indians. Roberts was designated for assignment on July 31 when the Yankees acquired Stephen Drew from the Boston Red Sox, shifting Drew from shortstop to second base.
Roberts emerged as one of baseball’s best second basemen in the mid-2000s with the Baltimore Orioles. The two-time All-Star put together six consecutive 160-plus hit seasons from 2004 through 2009, and also led the American League in doubles in both 2004 and 2009.
Roberts’ promising career got derailed in 2010 when a number of injuries limited his playing time, as he never played in more than 77 games in a season from 2010 to 2013.
New York signed Roberts in the offseason to a one-year, $2 million dollar deal in hopes of replacing some of the production of the departed Robinson Cano.
Roberts remained healthy this season, but his .237 batting average and abysmal .659 OPS likely played a factor in the Yankees trading for Drew at the non-waiver deadline. Drew has a .179 batting average in his eight games with the Yankees.
Photo via Anthony Gruppuso/USA TODAY Sports Images
