Yes Bard is always hurt, but atleast he is shows some great numbers when healthy (.338 avg, .406 OBP in 93 games in 2006 after being traded from Boston). Kevin Cash on the other hand, is awful. He can not hit, no minor league numbers either. Nothing except that HR last yr in the postseason. Is there a defensive upside to him that l do not know?

Because he wore a Red Sox unifrom. The Yanks pick up Red Sox scraps.

Because the Yankees like to steal Red Sox players and even he signed a minor league contract.

cuz of the last name, CASH. the Yankees think they need more.

To annoy the Red Sox who currently only have minor leaguers on their 40 man.

It could be to get him away from the Red Sox. He was Tim Wakefield is personal catcher, so he was valuable to the team. He is a good defensive catcher & his hitting is not bad, he just needs consistency, which he could learn from guys like A-Rod, Posada, Jeter, & the other great Yankees hitters. Whatever their reason is, the Red Sox now need a good backup catcher. Bard might be an option but he struggled catching Wakefield in April of 2006, so he is probably out of the picture.

EDIT: Well now it looks like they r close to signing Bard. If Varitek does not come back it would be interesting to see how he does in a possible platoon role. Personally, l would love to see him platooned with Jarrod Saltalamachia, but typing that name out is going to give me fits all year if it happens.

Considering the history of the Sox/Yanks rivalry & how they're constantly trying to out-do one another, l honestly would not be surprised if Cash was signed simply to give a scouting report on the Red Sox pitching staff.

Even if he does not provide the secrets to pounding Dice-K & Beckett, his presence on the Yankee bench could ''get in the head'' of the Sox.

Think l am reading too much into this? Well, if a team is willing to spend the entire payroll of the KC Royals on a #4 Starter & Lefty Bullpen Specialist..what is a few hundred-thousand bucks on a little mind-game.?

Bard can not field or throw out runners. Cash is pretty good with a glove and thats what you need with a backup catcher.

it does not make sense unless they plan to make Molina the full time catcher

As a Boston fan, l believe this move was strictly to prevent the Sox from bringing him back. While they're still waiting for Varitek to sign somewhere the Tigers traded for Laird. The Sox could still trade for Taylor Teagarden or someone else. This move also effects Wakefield since Cash was his catcher this year. l heard this morning on WEE l that Wakefield may be retiring.

l doubt Cash will play for the Yankees this year.

because they are petty, and thought that they were hurting the red sox by taking wakey is catcher.

To annoy the red sox that is the real reason,and for the record Sox fan's
your team picked up a few of our scraps along the way.
Lowell,was from our team first
David Wells
Joe Oliver
J T Snow
John Olerud
David Cone
Willie Banks
So there you have it.