Bryan Hoch reported this afternoon that the Yankees have signed free agent reliever, Chad Gaudin. Gaudin will give the Yankees a second long-man out of the bullpen.

We chronicled the Sergio Mitre vs. Chad Gaudin ‘battle’ all spring long. Mitre coupled with his $750,000 salary and impressive spring won out and Gaudin, with his $2.95 million salary, was cut. The Yankees only had to pay roughly a $700,000 termination fee before the Oakland A’s claimed him. However, the A’s subsequently released him after a poor showing out of the bullpen this year (8.83 ERA in 17 innings). The A’s will be on the hook for the majority of Gaudin’s contract with the Yankees paying a pro-rated contract minimum. Talk about a low-risk, low cost option.

Alfredo Aceves began a rehab assignment yesterday, but apparently re-aggravated his balky back. Aceves has been dealing with a bulging disc injury for the last two weeks. The more problems it causes, the more likely surgery becomes. That’s where  the Gaudin move comes into play.

Since Gaudin was an outside move, there will be a move on the 40-man roster. Maybe bye-bye Boone Logan?