Clint Frazier is glad he’s out of The Bronx.
When a Twitter user responded to a Frazier tweet on Tuesday by writing, “I’m so glad this dude isn’t a Yankee anymore,’’ Frazier replied: “So am I,” along with four “rolling on the floor laughing” emojis.
Frazier, who last month was designated for assignment and then released by the Yankees to open up a spot on the 40-man roster, signed last week with the Cubs as a free agent.
He later tweeted that his reaction was simply about being given more of an opportunity in Chicago.
“Me being happy I’m on the Cubs has nothing to do with Yankees fans,’’ Frazier wrote. “It has to do with the fact that I’m happy to be able to play somewhere I’ll get a better chance at playing.”
After he was named the starting left fielder last offseason, Frazier’s 2021 season went sideways. He played poorly and was sidelined by vision problems related to unspecified health issues. Frazier also dealt with concussion symptoms for much of his time as a Yankee.
Now the 27-year-old is hoping for a fresh start, and a new look, after signing a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Cubs.
“One of the biggest reasons I chose to come here was the fan base and how electric you guys can be towards your players,’’ Frazier wrote on Twitter, where his bio still read “Scranton Railriders forever” as of Tuesday. “I’ll be just as electric for you guys, too. Here’s to leaving my razor at home.”
That’s a reference to the Yankees’ policy prohibiting players’ hair to extend past the collar or facial hair that extends past the top lip. Frazier irked the organization by showing up for spring training in 2017 with long-ish hair, before getting it trimmed that March.
Frazier also joked about the fact he was keeping jersey No. 77.
“I’ll be continuing to wear #77, as well,’’ Frazier wrote on Twitter. “I requested #7, but unfortunately it was taken, marking that as the first time I ever asked for that number.”
It was reported that during spring training in 2017, Frazier had requested No. 7, which was retired for Mickey Mantle. Frazier and the Yankees both insisted the outfielder never made the request. In fact, Frazier initially wore No. 30 with the Yankees before switching to No. 77 in July 2017, nearly three weeks after his first game with the team.
“I would never ask for a legend’s number,” Frazier wrote on Twitter at the time. “[I’m] ready to play some baseball. I care more about the front of the jersey than the back.’’
After arriving in the 2016 trade that sent Andrew Miller to Cleveland, Frazier showed glimpses of the offensive talent that had made him the fifth-overall pick in 2013. He seemingly broke out in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, but his time with the Yankees was hurt by an inability to stay on the field.