Former Yankees First Baseman Greg Bird Signs Minor-League Deal With Rangers

If Greg Bird's tantalizing potential ever materializes into a big league career, Yankee fans will rue the day they let him go.

As of now, the vast majority of them are willing to take that bet.

A few months after losing his roster spot in New York, falling behind Luke Voit and Mike Ford on the depth chart, Bird has locked on with the Texas Rangers on a minor-league deal.

Bird broke onto the scene in 2015, hitting 11 homers, many of them clutch, in 46 games down the stretch. But prior to the 2016 season, he tore his labrum, underwent successful surgery, and was ruled out for the entire year. From then on, his bat speed rarely felt major league-caliber, when healthy.

And, compounding the problem, it was nearly impossible to figure out if and when he was exactly that.

He did leave memories in the Bronx, though, specifically during the team's 2017 playoff run, the last time he looked effective. Bird's blast off Andrew Miller was the difference in a 1-0 win that spurred New York's ALDS comeback.

He also launched a few off Houston Astros pitching in the ALCS, working the count and taking his patented walks.

Bird could really use a fresh start, and just might take off in a new environment. It's equally likely, however, that he's unable to get off the ground in Dallas, either.