Former Giant Matt Duffy signs contract with Yankees; on 60-man roster

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Giants fans love Matt Duffy. But they won't like his latest career decision.

Duffy, a former 18th-round draft pick by the Giants in 2012, signed a contract with the New York Yankees on Sunday and was added to their 60-man roster for the 2020 MLB season.

Duffy spent spring training with the Texas Rangers, and collected nine hits in 32 at-bats over 13 games.

The 29-year-old infielder made his big league debut with the Giants in 2014, and instantly became a fan-favorite. Duffy and his late cat Skeeter were a dynamic duo in San Francisco.

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The 2015 season was Duffy's only full season in the big leagues. That year, he hit .295/.334/.428 with 28 doubles, 12 homers and 77 RBI in 149 games. He finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting to Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant.

The next season, Duffy was hampered by an Achilles injury and played in 70 games. On Aug. 1, 2016, the Giants traded Duffy with prospects Lucius Fox and Michael Santos to the Tampa Bay Rays for left-handed pitcher Matt Moore.

Two weeks after joining the Rays, Duffy left a game with mild soreness in his Achilles, and later underwent season-ending surgery. He would miss the entire 2017 season.

Duffy hit .252 with three doubles and one homer in 46 games for the Rays last season.

[RELATED: Looking back at Duffy trade]

Through all the ups and downs, Giants fans still hold a special place in their hearts for Duffy, and the team almost brought him back this offseason. Duffy told The San Francisco Chronicle that the Giants called to "check in," but he ended up signing a minor league contract with the Rangers.

Despite Duffy joining the Evil Empire, it likely won't diminish the feelings Giants fans have for him.

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