The Yankees have agreed to a minor-league deal with lefty Wade LeBlanc, according to ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick (via Twitter). He’ll receive an invitation to MLB Spring Training and an opt-out opportunity just before the start of the season, per Crasnick, who notes that the deal comes with a potential $1MM base rate of pay in the Majors. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale adds that LeBlanc also has an opt-out on June 15 and would earn a monthly salary of $32K in the minors. LeBlanc is represented by agent Joe Rosen.
LeBlanc, 33, engineered a return to the majors after spending a season in Japan in 2015 (and then appearing on the MLBTR Podcast). After spending some time as a swingman for the Mariners in 2016, he landed with the Pirates and threw well enough to earn a major-league contract in the following offseason.
Things didn’t go quite as hoped in 2017, as LeBlanc managed only a 4.50 ERA with 7.1 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 in his 68 innings in Pittsburgh. He did carry a personal-best 9.6% swinging-strike rate, though, and fielding-independent pitching metrics valued his output as better than the results (e.g. 3.97 SIERA).
As has long been the case, LeBlanc was much more effective last year against righties than when pitching against same-handed batters. It seems he’ll join a camp battle to earn a place as a long man for the Yankees.
I really like him wish he got a better shot way back with the Yankees best of luck
Huge upside signing.
If you’re that awful upside is always huge. I’d be a huge upside signing for the Yankees as well.
Huge? You’re easily impressed.
Another reliever bites the dust, premium position on teams now
Can’t believe this guy still gets signed. He’s a walking DL stint.
You act like DL stints matter.
Guys don’t exactly help the team when they’re on the DL.
You obviously don’t understand the concept of a minor league contract.
The guy had some nice peripherals last season and is entirely low-risk. Not a bad move. For all the strengths of the yanks’ pen, they are short on situational lefties. Schreve is solid, but they could use another option if his walks continue to fester.
If you follow this team, you should know they need another LHP other than Chasen Shreve (who posted a 3.77 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 58/25 K/BB ratio across 45 1/3 innings, in 2017 but always seems to burn out, as the season goes on)
I’m not sure if Wade LeBlanc is that guy, but hey, at least they’re addressing it.
Bullpen may be this team’s biggest strength heading into 2018, but they need more than 1 LHP in the bullpen lol
Probably won’t be the guy, I could see them signing another lefty or two to minor league deals and having them all battle it out. I’ve always liked Shreve and have hoped he could put it together for a full season
Common misconception that they “need” another lefty. Their power arms out of the pen neutralize lefties.
This isn’t a Shreve AND LeBlanc thing. This is a Shreve OR LeBlanc thing.
leblanc faired better against righties, likely due to his solid changeup
I do follow this team, quite closely, and you should know Wade LeBlanc won’t be on the opening day roster.
Lol The Yankees are an equal opportunity employer.
He’s a long-shot but far from guaranteed to not make it, as your post implies.
Chapman?
Better than Cole I guess….
lol
Smart, linking that Podcast with LeBlanc. I miss those podcasts, Jeff..
The stove is burning
Wait! What year is it?
We have given Shreve 100 chances to be the main situational lefty on the team and he always flames out. Spring training battle is upon us !
Actually last year Girardi managed Shreve, as well as he’s ever had all-season (I think he learned from overusing him early on in the season, only to have him with nothing left in the gas tank, near the end of season in epic fashion)
Girardi was very deliberate in his handling of Shreve, 2017, used him in specific situations; it paid off (for the most part)
but it’s a moot point…
He has one hot stretch and then struggles. I’ve always liked his k #’s but he hasn’t been able to stick.
I’m the end I can see the lefty specialist role dying out over the next few years
One rookie in the infield makes me nervous. Two rookies in the infield is a disaster. Two rookies and a first baseman as fragile as a prom queen is a go nowhere bunch. Can we please get some infield help???
All players start as rookies at some point and Torres and andujar have legit mlb talent. Bird has had ankle problems but that surgery found and fixed the problem and the results showed. Everyone is sleeping on bird and imo it would be a mistake to do so
I agree, the Yankees don’t need to sign every player out there. 2 rookies plus Bird in the infield is just fine. Everyone starts as a rookie, it obviously worked well with Judge, Sanchez, Severino, and Montgomry.. the Yankees would not be playing Bird at first, if they did not believe in his talent. Or anyone else for that matter. That’s why scouts and minor league developers have a better feel for a player’s ability than we do on commentary. The Yankees don’t need every free agent and it’s kind of nice for a change to see them using their wave of young talent. When you have always had a good farm system, and never really tapped into much, now you tap into it and see results but ppl still want over priced infield help..lol let the kids play. The team is good enough to compete even if they had 4 rookies in the infield.
I thought that guy retired like 5 years ago
32k a month to pitch in the minors.
Fix the redirects. Mobile site is unusable.