The Yankees have announced that they’ve designated lefty Chris Capuano for assignment. The move clears space on their active roster for righty Caleb Cotham, who they’ve recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
If this pair of moves sounds familiar, it’s because the Yankees designated Capuano in order to promote Cotham just before the trade deadline. Since then, Capuano accepted the Yankees’ outright and then returned on Wednesday when the Yankees designated Garrett Jones.
Capuano has a 6.97 ERA, 8.7 K/9 and 4.4 BB/9 this season and is making $5MM on a one-year deal, so the Yankees probably aren’t too worried that he’ll be claimed. He hadn’t pitched since being promoted, and is probably being designated in favor of Cotham right now because Cotham (who’s had a strong season in the high minors) just became eligible for promotion again after being optioned on August 5.
Hopefully, he will elect free agency.. Cap was decent last year but its time for him to move on.. It seemed like forever before Esmil Rogers was finally cut loose and the same can be said for Capuano.. I know he was basically a mop up man but some deserving AAA guy could be doing the same thing.. I know the whole not breaking a rookies confidence comes into play but some of those guys would never see a major league roster any way..
And forfeit his 5 mil salary? He isn’t going to decline lol he will ride it out sign a minor league deal in the offseason
He gets his salary from the Yankees regardless. If he elects free agency, he’ll play for his next team at the league minimum while the Yankees pay his $5M.