Yankees Analysis: Yankees Invite Russell Branyan To Spring Training

Russell Branyan will get a shot to make the Yankees. (AP photo)

The Yankees signed a former power hitter Wednesday, and no it's not Hideki Matsui or Raul Ibanez. Russell Branyan has been invited to spring training, the Yankees announced. Branyan appears to have little shot to make the team, but anything can happen with a strong exhibition season.

Branyan played 68 games for the Angels last year, hitting .197 with five home runs and 14 RBI. Branyan is a career .232 hitter with 194 home runs. In 2009, the best season of his long career, Branyan batted .252 with 31 home runs and 76 RBI in 116 games.

The team is still reportedly in the market for a designated hitter, with Matsui, Ibanez and Johnny Damon listed as possible targets. Eric Chavez, who was with the team last year, is also a possibility.

For us here at GameDay, the choice among those four is easy - sign Matsui. The former Yankee hit .251 last year with 12 home runs and 72 RBI in 141 games. Matsui starred with the Yankees for seven years, batting .292 with 140 home runs and 597 RBI. He played last year in Oakland and the year prior with the Angels.

Best yet, everyone knows Matsui won't crumble under the brights lights that come with playing for the Yankees. That is as important as anything when playing in New York.