Blogging: "The Blowfish" Ensberg

Over at Phil Hughes' weblog comes news of a guest column.

Just got into the hotel in Cleveland. Guest blog tomorrow by Morgan “The Blowfish” Ensberg. Should be a good one.

I'd like to see Kyle Farnsworth have a guest appearance in the blogosphere. It would read something like this:

Threw fastball to hitter. Tried to throw one harder but I had no idea where it would end up. Turns out it ended up over the leftfield fence. But it's ok because I look great in these coke bottles.

Morgan Ensberg was added to the 40-man roster tonight, meaning he made the team and will earn $1.75 million for the 2008 season. Reiterating what he said earlier in Spring training, Ensberg does not want to wear #21 as he knows it is Paul O'Neill's jersey. Despite what some had predicted - carrying a utility shortstop like Chris Woodward - it would seem as though Ensberg completes a Yankees bench joining Jose Molina, Wilson Betemit and Shelley Duncan. Brett Gardner will be on alert, however.

Yanks Sign Ensberg To Minor League Deal

According to ESPN, the Yankees signed career third baseman Morgan Ensberg to a minor league contract which will allow the 32 year-old to compete for a spot at the merry go-round that's become first base.

Terms of the contract weren't immediately available. Ensberg signed a minor-league deal, with an invitation to major league camp. The Yankees' 40-man roster is currently full, but three spots are expected to open when Carl Pavano, Humberto Sanchez and Andrew Brackman are transferred to the 60-day disabled list in March.

Ensberg hit 36 home runs for the Houston Astros in 2005 and made the National League All-Star team. The Astros sent him to the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline last July, and he hit .230 with 12 homers in 115 games overall with the two clubs.

Ensberg is a bit of an enigma, though he is also an interesting guy. If you never read the ESPN Magazine article from three or so years ago, Ensberg survived a hostage situation while in the minor leagues. The incident left an indelible mark on him and forever left his confidence on and off the baseball field in flux.