BaseballTalkOnline.com

The Dallas Morning News is reporting that the Rangers are looking into bringing free agent outfielder Kevin Mench into Spring Training as a non-roster invitee. The thought is that Mench could compete with Jason Botts and Nelson Cruz for a spot on the bench. If Mench goes back to Texas, their current roster configuration would allow them to use him where he’s best suited, spot playing time against left handers.

The Yankees are also showing some interest in Mench as a backup outfielder. The Yankees are looking to bring him to camp on a minor league contract and see if he can make the club, giving them a right-handed option in the outfield. Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Bobby Abreu are left handed hitters and Melky Cabrera is a switch-hitter, leaving them without much flexibility against some of the tougher left handed pitchers in the league.

The argument comes down to what Mench values more, playing time or winning. He’d likely get more chances to play with the Rangers splitting some time as their designated hitter and in the outfield, but the Yankees are a safe bet to win more games and have a better chance at winning the World Series. At this stage of his career, I think you have to swallow your ego and side with the winning club and just hope you’re in the lineup enough to prove your worth.

Filed under: Kevin Mench, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers