Cubs sign Broussard

Ben Broussard's stay with the Yankees came to end a few days ago when he was released.

According to Tim Dierkes of MLBTR, Broussard signed with the Chicago Cubs today. Broussard has 14 hits in 43 at-bats with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, driving in six runs.

Jason Lane is still with Scranton even though can ask for his release at any time.

Mussina's rough day

Mike Mussina is in mid-season form, giving up the lead right after the Yankees scored for him on two different occasions.

After being given a 1-0 lead in the second inning, Mussina gave up two runs in the bottom half of the inning. Hunter Pence doubled and then scored on a Jose Cruz Jr. single. Cruz Jr. then took second when Mussina didn't cover the plate on the throw him. He was driven home by Humberto Quintero.

The Yankees scored three runs in the top of the third to retake the lead by a score of 4-2. Shelley Duncan hit an RBI single that scored Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano. Morgan Ensberg then drove home Duncan on a single.

Mussina came out for a third inning of work. Kaz Matsui and Lance Berkman singled to start the third. Carlos Lee was up after and drilled a pitch over the wall to take a 5-4 lead. Mussina was taken out right after and was replaced by Jeff Karstens. Mussina's final line was 2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HR.

Mussina has been happy with his work in camp so far, so this is an obvious step in the wrong direction. He has the uncanny ability to surrender leads, so this is nothing new. Hopefully this isn't what he has been teaching Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy.

In other news, the former Astros are chipping in. Ensberg is currently 2-2 with a double and an RBI and Jason Lane has also driven in a run.

More on Ensberg

Peter Abraham gives us more information on the Morgan Ensberg signing.

Ensberg would make $1.75 million if he makes the roster with an addition $2.25 million available in bonuses based on plate appearances.

Here’s who the Yankees will have at first base in camp:

Wilson Betemit
Shelley Duncan
Morgan Ensberg
Jason Giambi
Jason Lane
Juan Miranda

Betemit will be on the team because he can play a few positions. The Big G has to be on the team unless he’s on the DL. But who starts is up for grabs.

“I wouldn’t say anyone is a projected starter,” general manager Brian Cashman said. “There’s a job at first base that either someone is going to earn outright or it’s going to be an opportunity to mix a few different people in there.

That contract is a wee-bit excessive in my book. However, if he makes the roster, that would mean that he performed well in Spring Training, which means the Yankees would be fielding the best possible team.

The Yankees are right to not be depending on the trio of Giambi, Betemit and Duncan to be successful at first base this season.

Yankees sign Ensberg

The Yankees have signed Morgan Ensberg, according to MLB Trade Rumors. Despite being a third baseman by trade, the Yankees plan to use him at first base, even though he has only played one career game there. It's unclear whether the deal was a major-league deal or minor-league deal.

Ensberg hit .230 with 12 home runs last season, splitting time with the Houston Astros and San Diego Padres.

He had his best season in 2005 with Houstin, when he hit .283 with 36 home runs and 101 RBI.

Earlier in January, the Yankees signed fellow Astro reject Jason Lane.

Update - 4:15 p.m.: ESPN is also reporting the deal. Ensberg signed a minor-league deal with an invitation to Spring Training.

"I'm extremely excited about it,'' Ensberg said Thursday. "It's a great team and a great lineup. Most importantly, it's a team that's consistently playing for a World Series. After you've been in the league for a few years, you really start valuing that pursuit.''

So there you have it.

Yankees sign Lane

Earlier today, the Post reported that the Yankees were looking at possibly signing outfielder Jason Lane.

Tonight, the Yankees signed Lane to a minor-league contract, according to Brian Cashman on YES (via Peter Abraham).

Though Lane is a career outfielder, the Yankees believe he can play first even though he has only played four career games there.

After hitting 26 home runs in 2005, Lane has struggled over the last two seasons. He hit 15 home runs, but only hit .201 in 2006. He then hit .175 last season in 71 games for the Astros and Padres.

I honestly don't understand this move. Cashman has said that he wasn't looking outside of the organization for first base help, so why would they do this? They already have Jason Giambi, Shelley Duncan and Wilson Betemit.