TORONTO — Three years ago, the Yankees’ pursuit of Dustin Ackley started. On July 30 they finally convinced the Mariners the former first-round pick in the 2009 draft was worth moving for outfielder Ramon Flores and right-hander Jose Ramirez.
“He has a left-handed bat with lift,’’ general manager Brian Cashman said of Ackley before the Yankees’ 4-2 loss to the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Monday.
Acquired with the idea the 27-year-old who never lived up to being that draft’s second pick was going to add depth to Joe Girardi’s bench, Ackley muscled his way into the lineup.