Todd Frazier heading home, thrilled to be a Yankee

MINNEAPOLIS – Pulled from the White Sox lineup before Tuesday night’s game, Todd Frazier sat alone in Chicago’s home clubhouse, wondering where the trade winds might take him.

“I knew I was going somewhere,’’ Frazier said. “They wouldn’t tell me.’’

As a landing spot, Boston was an early favorite. “But it was pretty cool,’’ Frazier said of finally being told he was headed home, to the Yankees.

“I’ve got a lot of friends at home, a lot of family that loves the Yankees and everybody’s pretty excited,’’ said Frazier, part of an impact seven-player deal to boost the Yanks’ October chances. “Hopefully, once we get back home you’re going to see a big crowd coming in from Toms River.’’

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Frazier and relievers David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle arrived at Target Field from Chicago in the first inning of Wednesday’s noon game, a 6-1 Twins’ victory – leaving the Yankees 0-8-2 in their last 10 series.

As a pinch-hitter in the seventh, Frazier struck out with runners at first and second before taking a fastball off his right hand in the ninth.

“Just a precaution,’’ Frazier said of his bandaged hand, the only souvenir from his Yankee debut. He’s expected to be at third base for Thursday’s series opener at Seattle, with Chase Headley switching to first base.

Hard throwing right-handers Kahnle and Robertson add “some significant weapons to the high-caliber pieces we already possess in the bullpen,’’ said Yankees general manager Brian Cashman.

“I’ve been here and I’ve won before. I want to win again,’’ said Robertson, who spent seven seasons with the Yankees, earning a 2009 world championship ring. “That’s all there is.’’

Frazier has been to postseason twice, "but we've got a bunch of guys who've been there a lot more than me,'' he said. "We'll keep feeding off each other and hopefully good things will happen.''

Lefty-hitting Class A outfieIder Blake Rutherford, the Yanks’ first-round draft pick in 2016, was the trade centerpiece for Chicago, which also received struggling reliever Tyler Clippard and two other minor leaguers.

Cashman is still seeking starting pitching before the July 31 trade deadline, with Oakland's Sonny Gray topping the list of availables. But Cashman has maintained the Yankees as “careful buyers’’ as they “walk this line of trying to maximize the present as well as protect the future.’’

Eligible for free agency after this season, Frazier’s future beyond 2017 is less certain. For now, the Rutgers alum is just thrilled about his commute to the Bronx.

“I remember going to the old Yankee Stadium, in the upper deck of course, and feeling the Stadium shaking back and forth when something crazy would happen,’’ Frazier said. “It’s going to be a cool homecoming for me.’’

Frazier recalled having a high school tryout at the original Stadium. A few years before that, a 12-year-old Frazier stood next to Derek Jeter during a celebration of the Toms River Little League world champions.

“I get asked that question all the time. I feel bad for him,’’ Frazier said of the well-circulated photo of the Yankees’ captain standing next to a future MLB All-Star in 1998, the second of Jeter’s five world championship seasons. “It was cool, a great time for both of us.’’

Frazier’s first Yankee at-bat was less memorable, going down swinging against right-handed starter Jose Berrios (8-3) after rookie lefty Jordan Montgomery (6-5) had put the Yankees in a 6-0 deficit.

“I was a little foggy, I’ll be honest,’’ Frazier said. “Just coming off the plane, I didn’t really sleep last night (and) it felt like my first at-bat, getting called up again.

“I wish I didn’t strike out,’’ Frazier said. “But I’ll be nice and fresh (Thursday).’’

Overall, Frazier hopes this trade provides a fresh start. He’s batting just .206 in 82 games, with 16 homers and 44 RBI following career highs with 40 home runs and 98 RBI in 2016.

“I feel like I have a lot more I can showcase,’’ Frazier said. “I love playing at home. So, I think I did need a change of scenery. Especially coming here, who could ask for a better scenario?’’