This winter, Clint Frazier stars in "Escape from New York."
The new Cubs outfielder signed a contract with Chicago on Dec. 1 after being released by the Yankees in November. In all, Frazier's Yankees career was more sizzle than steak: He hit .239 over four seasons in New York, in total a 0.2 bWAR player in 228 games.
Some of that was inconsistent play, while more of it was inconsistent playing time: The outfielder was constantly shuffled between the Triple-A squad and the major league roster, while injuries also played a part into his release.
Frazier, though, is pretty glad it happened. Taking to Twitter for the first time since signing with the Cubs, the 27-year-old responded to a fan who said they were glad Frazier is out of New York pinstripes:
so am i 🤣🤣🤣🤣
— Clint Frazier (@clintfrazier) December 7, 2021
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Frazier sent out a series of Tweets on Tuesday reinforcing his thankfulness for being a Cub:
first off, these uniforms are soooo sick! i'm so excited to join 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. i'll be just as electric for you guys too. here's to leaving my razor at home 🪒🐻 pic.twitter.com/rbf9THyaF8
— Clint Frazier (@clintfrazier) December 7, 2021
i'll be continuing to wear #77 as well — i requested #7 but unfortunately it was taken, marking that as the first time i ever asked for that number 🤣
— Clint Frazier (@clintfrazier) December 7, 2021
me being happy i'm on the cubs has nothing to do with yankees fans. 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 😂
— Clint Frazier (@clintfrazier) December 7, 2021
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A few highlights from the series of tweets:
"Here's to leaving my razor at home." — Frazier is referencing his constant taxi ride between the big league roster and Scranton in four seasons with New York.
"I'll be continuing to wear #77 as well — i requested #7 but unfortunately it was taken, marking that as the first time i ever asked for that number." — Frazier was embroiled in a really, really dumb controversy when reports indicated he requested No. 7 while with the Yankees. That number was, obviously, retired for the great Mickey Mantle. Some Yankees fans and Yankees media members treated the event as sacrilege, but it was later reported that Frazier didn't actually request the number.
"me being happy i'm on the cubs has nothing to do with yankees fans. 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" — Frazier lost his job on more than one occasion to injury, but also to outfielder Brett Gardner, who was re-signed prior to the start of the 2021 season, costing Frazier a spot in the outfield.
The Yankees acquired Frazier as part of a trade that sent Andrew Miller to Cleveland in 2017. A former No. 5 overall pick in the MLB Draft, Frazier was once heralded by Yankee GM Brian Cashman for having "legendary bat speed."
Now, Frazier will get an opportunity to showcase that in the "Second City" with his third franchise.