Trying to find the right pitcher to improve a bullpen can be a daunting task. On this day in 2002, the New York Yankees gave three candidates that same contract, and fifteen minutes to make their decision.
The New York Yankees have a very specific set of expectations heading in to every season: win the World Series. Anything less was considered a disappointment. Yet, even in the free spending days of George Steinbrenner, care had to be taken to fill out the roster with the right players, those who could not only help deliver a championship, but could handle the pressure of playing in New York.
With Mike Stanton a free agent, the Yankees were looking for another left handed reliever. Stanton was an option to bring back, but New York was also interested in Chris Hammond and Mark Guthrie to fill that void. Unsure of which reliever to target, they came up with a novel approach. All three relievers were offered the same two year, $4.6 Million contract, and given fifteen minutes to decide whether or not to take it.
Naturally, this approach would ruffle a few feathers. Stanton, who had been with the Yankees since 1997, was insulted by the idea and refused to respond. He would later sign with the cross town Mets, perhaps as a way to further show his dissatisfaction. However, the approach worked with Hammond, who would sign for $4.8 Million over those two years.
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The fact that Hammond was able to command that type of contract was a bit of a surprise. He had been out of baseball in 1999 and 2000, retiring after shoulder surgery. After spending the 2001 season in the minors, he was a revelation with the Braves in 2002. That year, he posted a 7-2 record with a 0.95 ERA and a 1.105 WHiP, making 63 appearances.
He continued his solid pitching with the Yankeed in 2003. While he was not at the same level he had been the previous year, he was still an excellent addition to the bullpen. Hammond produced a 2.86 ERA and a 1.206 WHiP, striking out 45 batters in 63 innings.
After the season, he was sent to Oakland in exchange for two minor league players. He continued to pitch well until 2006, when, as a 40 year old, he just did not have anything left. Retiring for a second time, Hammond truly hung up his cleats for good. His second half to his career was truly surprising, and a testament to his hard work to return.
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The New York Yankees took a novel approach to attempting to find a lefty reliever, offering the same contract to three pitchers and giving them fifteen minutes. As this approach brought in Chris Hammond, it certainly worked out.