The Yankees have released veteran infielder Danny Espinosa from his minor league contract, GM Brian Cashman told reporters today after announcing the signing of Neil Walker (Twitter link via the YES Network’s Jack Curry).
The move will allow Espinosa the opportunity to find a club better-poised to give him a chance at cracking the big league roster. Since the Yankees signed Espinosa earlier this offseason, they’ve acquired Brandon Drury in a trade and signed Walker to a one-year deal. With that pair on the 25-man roster, plus prospects Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar on the horizon and utility options like Tyler Wade and Ronald Torreyes, Espinosa clearly faced an uphill battle in ever seeing any big league time in the Bronx.
Over the past two seasons, the switch-hitting Espinosa has struggled to a dismal .197/.286/.344 slash with 283 strikeouts in 896 plate appearances — a whopping 31.5 percent strikeout rate. But, Espinosa is a talented defensive player that has experience all around the infield and has a history of decent offensive output against left-handed pitching. While it’s now been two years since he’s delivered anything in the way of offensive production in the big leagues, Espinosa still should hold appeal to other organization with lesser depth up the middle.
espinosa’s beard / 5 o clock shadow couldn’t keep up with the yankees no facial hair policy
Right….when there’s a day night doubleheader he has to shave between games.
Thanks for coming Danny. Would’ve loved to see him get a shot but at the end of the day he would have no chance against Walker, Torres, Torreyes, and Wade.
Just loaded at 2B, especially after Walker signing.
Wish you nothing but success, Danny.
Plays Defense, he’s got pop, Hope he latches on.
Popcorn has more pop
Yeah, he always has been all glove and no stick.
I know it doesn’t always work, but, if he is better hitting lefties maybe he should pull a victorino and drop hitting left handed all together
search about 4 years ago in the Nationals organization. He did it all spring and then wouldn’t do it in the regular season.
Nationals asked Espinosa to stop trying to be a switch-hitter. Probably about 2015. He refused. Stubborn, even rock-headed. Good fielder, but has never hit much.
This was inevitable. At this point Tyler Wade is a better player and Peterson as much more upside. The Walker signing has little to do with this. Espinosa was never making this roster and was a Triple A depth piece.
I will predict this. The long term vision for Drury is as a multi position Ben Zobrist super utility type. If Walker stays healthy I can see him playing third on a regular basis when Torres gets called up with Drury playing every infield position but catcher. I think this makes Torreyes the odd man out and likely destined to spend time in AAA.
Hey,
If Tyler Wade is a good player with lots of upside, how would Drury fit in as a super utility player across the diamond.
Isn’t that what we’ve been reading as far as Wade, with the inevitable Gleyber move at 2nd going to happen?
Drury’s best position is 3rd not second, so either he is going to be flipped at the trade deadline, or will settle in as the regular 3rd baseman going forward. Odds are that he’s the GUY at 3rd.
From what we’ve read, Drury was on the Yankees radar for some time.
Rocky I definitely concur with what you said but don’t sleep on Wade locking down second.
Drury will be at 3rd with Walker at 2nd putting Andjuar and Torres at AAA making Wade the utility for the first half of the season. I think it all depends on how Drury handles 3rd. Either way, the Yankees have got great depth this year and for years to come.
I like Wade and so far see him as the front runner for 2B am I wrong?
Yes, Walker took the job the second he signed.
The next Refsnyder.
Better glove, better plate discipline, and more speed
Also- never was hyped as Jeter’s replacement.
Neither was Refsnyder. Maybe you meant Cano’s replacement?
woah woah woah, Refsnyder can still fill the holes of the Core Four all by himself!!!
jk
i shouldnt need to but jk, but you know, 90% of people on this site do not understand jokes
Send him to Boston