Fansided

Sources: Phillip Evans, Yankees in agreement on a contract

By Robert Murray

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 19: Phillip Evans #24 of the Pittsburgh Pirates gets ready in the batters box against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 19, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 19: Phillip Evans #24 of the Pittsburgh Pirates gets ready in the batters box against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 19, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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Former Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Phillip Evans is heading east and to the American League after agreeing to a deal with the New York Yankees.

Free-agent infielder/outfielder Phillip Evans is in agreement on a deal with the New York Yankees, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Evans, 29, has shown flashes in small stints in previous years – he hit .303/.395/.364 in 38 plate appearances in 2017; .359/.444/.487 in 45 plate appearances in 2020 – but is hitting a mere .231/.331/.319 with six home runs and 27 RBI in 353 career plate appearances.

Evans provides the Yankees with a versatile chess piece off the bench, as he’s played first, second and third bases, as well as right and left fields, in three major-league seasons.

The Yankees remain in pursuit of a first baseman. They expressed early interest in Freddie Freeman and were among the teams interested in Matt Olson before he was traded to the Atlanta Braves.

But Anthony Rizzo has emerged as the most realistic option, though no deal is believed to be imminent.