Matt Thornton did not expect to be traded by the Yankees last Tuesday for any reason — let alone money.
“I was caught off guard, big time,” said Thornton, who went to the Nationals after they made a waiver claim on the left-hander in what amounted to a cost-saving move for the Yankees.
Thornton signed a two-year deal worth $7 million in the offseason.
“Being the Yankees, generally when they’re in contention, they’re moving pieces around, but not looking at money,” Thornton said. “Maybe I overvalued myself. I thought I was an important part of the bullpen and important piece to the team that was trying to fight for a playoff spot.”
Despite his surprise, Thornton said he isn’t bitter.
“With the emergence of Dellin [Betances] and Adam [Warren] and David [Huff] has been throwing the ball well, so they felt like I was something they could clear off the books,” Thornton said.
After making the move, general manager Brian Cashman pointed to young left arms such as Tyler Webb, Jacob Lindgren and Manny Banuelos as possible lefty replacements, but for now, they are relying on journeyman Rich Hill.
“They thought it was the right thing to do for them,” Thornton said.
“Supposedly, they have a couple of lefties throwing the ball well in the minor leagues that haven’t gotten there yet who can fill in just fine.”
Cashman also pointed to the flexibility he gained by shedding Thornton’s contract, as they shuffle pitchers such as Bryan Mitchell and Hill back and forth from the minors, something he couldn’t do with Thornton on the roster.
“When your pitching staff has been so dismantled by injuries and you’re waiting for the right time to make moves, like with [Michael] Pineda, these things happen,” Thornton said. “But the reasoning was unexpected.
It’s the New York Yankees and there wasn’t even $1 million left on my deal this year and $3.5 next year. I guess you never know what’s going to happen.”
Thornton also said he is pleased to have landed in Washington.
“It changes who you’re trying to help, but I’m loyal to whatever uniform I’m wearing,” said Thornton, who entered Tuesday’s game against the Mets having pitched 2 ²/₃ inning in three games. “Once I left the clubhouse in New York, it was done and I moved on.”