The Yankees announced that they’ve claimed outfielder Trayce Thompson off waivers from the Dodgers. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, New York transferred righty Ben Heller from the 10-day disabled list to the 60-day DL. The Dodgers had designated Thompson for assignment last week.
Thompson, 27, gives the Yankees some outfield depth with each of Aaron Hicks, Jacoby Ellsbury, Clint Frazier and Billy McKinney currently on the disabled list. The brother of NBA star Klay Thompson, Trayce has spent the past two seasons with the Dodgers organization after being acquired from the White Sox in the three-team trade that sent Todd Frazier from Cincinnati to Chicago.
[Related: Updated New York Yankees depth chart]
While Thompson logged a respectable .249/.322/.469 slash through his first 397 plate appearances between the Sox and Dodgers, he struggled to a .122/.218/.265 line in a tiny sample of 55 PAs last year in the Majors. His struggles weren’t confined to the big leagues, either; in 369 plate appearances in the hitter-friendly Triple-A Pacific Coast League, he hit just .212/.269/.363.
Thompson will give the Yankees a player who can handle all three outfield spots and has had some success both in the Majors and at Triple-A, even in light of his 2017 struggles. It remains to be seen if he can stick with the Yankees in the long term, however. He’s out of minor league options, so when some combination of Hicks, Ellsbury, Frazier and McKinney comes off the DL, it’s possible that Thompson could again find himself exposed to waivers.
Better than Ellsbury
I’m really sick of this narrative that Ellsbury is terrible. He’s an average MLB player with the bat and above average on the bases and above average OF. Just cause he’s overpaid doesn’t make him worthless
eh, still terrible.
Exactly,if you take a look at all the 4th outfielders in the league there’s hardly any better..yes he’s way overpaid. It’s just mostly people that hate the Yankees that post this tired narrative…
Every team has a sunk cost anchor contract. Ellsbury’s owed $21.14M annually through 2020 —three years — with 2021 $21M club option ($5M buyout, if declined)
He is 4th OF, on a team loaded with OF talent. (Possibly best and/or deepest in the majors)
The move was questionable then, even moreso now, and Ellsbury will continue to serve as the scapegoat.
Year 1 of his 7-year $153M contract, was Ells’ age 30 season. One can only pray he doesn’t end up in the Pablo Sandoval route.
If they are unable to trade him (even after offering to pay min. half) I can see the Yankees losing patience, and releasing him, the final year of his contract — similar to what they did with Arod, when released him, year-10 of his 10-year $275M contract.
Ellsbury deserves every every bit of criticism he gets, He’s not worthless player — but contract makes him.
You know it’s bad when people are saying that the Yankees overpaid someone…
I do not know Ellsbury well but it seems to me that he had several very good years with the Bosox and the Yankees wanted to get a twofer by stealing him from their arch rivals.That is probably one of the reasons that they grossly overpaid for him back when that was a common thing to do.
I still think he is probably an average MLB outfielder but who is in fact injury prone.
He is clearly obscenely paid but who here would not have taken that offer?
Criticize the front office for that contract, not Ells.
He had 1 great year
Didn’t they release him in year 9, then just ate year 10?
He’s terrible at that salary.
I know who’s who is worse… Pujols!
What makes it even worse is when supposed Yankees fans try and pile on.
You’re a joke
Ouch that truly matters to me. You’re the one here not even on subject or know the parameters of the vibe.
Like the guy posted a few weeks back “that JDGoat guy has nothing to say”. You’re like some nosy old lady.
Sick and tired? Lay down and we’ll make you some chicken noodle soup.
Regardless how you feel about Ellsbury. Klay Thompasons brother is not taking his spot. No one will ever touch that contract of his. Thompson probably wont even sniff the majors with new York.
When a player is in a continual state of break down – and he’s overpaid – he’s of little worth to his team. Does that sound better?
At present time obviously I would take Thompson over ellsbury anyday, but jacoby has had a nice career. He had some bad years with the Yankees but I am also tired of ellsbury backlash.
I like it
Makes sense. Pretty sure I read someone suggesting this earlier once the Ellsbury hip injury was announced
At least it’s not the Astros I guess…
Well, know that he is on the Yankees, he will hit 50 HR like Aaron Judge. Good grief!
I was always a fan of his brother Klay Thompson, fellow “Splash Brother” along with Stephen Curry.
Whether or not this kid (Trayce) is cut out for the big leagues, I would pay to find out, and I’m happy it’s with my team. I was always rooting for him to make it.
Good acquisition, especially for the price. I expected after the DeShields injury, OF shuffling in KC, and all the Yankees’ outfield injuries that the Dodgers would have at least received nominal “cash considerations” from someone.
He can play just hasn’t been given a chance,though injuries and the Dodgers wealth of outfielders…
I am sorry that LAD could not find a way to move others and keep Trayce through this year. If he can stay healthy, there is quite a bit of upside to this guy. Best of luck to him!
Thanks..I’ve liked this guy since he was in the White Sox system.
He’s basically Justin Maxwell, another former Yankee.
No he’s not.
…. and an entire subthread disappears without a trace. Conveniently deleting the racist comment but not the person who posted it.
I reported it and I’m glad it was deleted. I don’t want people to be banned but certainly that was out of line.
He’s got good upside, surprised he got that close to clearing waivers.
Right?!!! When I heard the Dodgers designated him I really felt he’d be claimed within 24 hours since there are a number of teams with OF depth needs. I have no idea why KC passed and instead claimed Abraham Almonte from CLE.
Dodger fan sorry to see home go – too bad he wasn’t a more versatile player – might have hung on instead of Hernandez.
Glad he didn’t go to the Giants and I think he could be a very useful acquisition for NY – can play all three positions well and has shown some signs of being able to get on base – will be a good 8 or 9 batter in the lineup.
Enrique Hernandez had 0 chance if being let go.
You’re really out of touch concerning this team. Hernandez would have had zero concern of not making this team. He’s realistically one of their primary lefty mashers and also earning ABs v RH. The only way he ever had a chance to make the roster for one would have been no Kemp and no injury to Turner. I like Thompson, but unless he also had the ability to play SS or had options it just wasn’t happening. It’s sad to say, but the injury opened an opportunity for others to pass him on the depth chart and he was. OF is littered with depth. But man if you think they even would have considered going Thompson over Kikè that’s honestly as bad as the Plouffe over Turner case. I agree that NY might be a good place for him, if he actually has a chance to find his footing. The yanks have a current need and quite a couple players with long levers. With that said though, you wonder how long he’s actually primed for the roster. I’d have to venture a guess of not very long.
I am taken back by your” out of touch comment”. I have followed the Dodgers since 1959 when I saw my first Dodger game – Koufax striking out 18 Giants at the LA Coliseum, so I have kept in touch for probably more years than you’ve been alive.
As for my thoughts about Trevor Plouffe v Jason Turner, first thank you for remembering a comment I made over a year ago and secondly, I will agree that it would have been a horrible move, but that’s ok because brighter minds prevailed.
With regards to Thompson v Hernandez – Hernandez is very versatile but he is rather one dimensional at the plate – he has been called a pure fastball hitter; Thompson offers is an average threat offensively, more speed than Hernandez, and defense at three outfield positions. Truthfully I consider both of these players to be in that 23-25 spot on the roster and both could be easily replaced if a better option would arise.
Your login and most of your comments suggest you are a Dodger fan – so, thanks for that and go Dodgers.
Trayce can run hit and catch the ball . He has incredible ability to play in cold and wet weather, He will give the Yankees needed home run debt despite their two super stars.
Lol! What?
Big mistake putting him on waivers.
not really
So that means all of the NL teams passed on him, and most of the AL teams. Kind of surprising.
Not quite. Outright waiver priority isn’t league-specific — that’s only August trade waivers.
The Yankees were ahead of the Cubs, D-backs and Nationals in waiver priority (plus the Astros, Indians and Red Sox obviously).
Biggest problem with Ellsbury is he’s as fragile as they come. Can’t stay on the field! No doubt way overpaid also! One of the worst contracts the yanks have ever given. Oh well live and learn as they say!
Ellsbury couldve done what Stanton did today. Heck, I couldve done that. 0-5 5Ks
When you make $350M, the Golden Sombreros are actually made of gold.
It’s interesting that the rebuilding White Sox took a pass on Trayce Thompson, their former 2009 second round draft pick who posted his best numbers in his MLB debut with the team back in 2015. The White Sox had a priority waiver claim for Thompson ahead of the Yankees and also have an open spot on their 40-man roster.
Thompson is just three months older than late blooming White Sox outfielder Avisail Garcia who finally began living up to his top prospect billing last season after 6 previous years of replacement level success in the big leagues in Detroit and Chicago. Thompson possesses 5 years of team control and won’t even be arb eligible until 2020 while Garcia can become a FA following the 2019 season. Thompson is also a superior defensive player who can play all three outfield spots while Garcia is a below average defensive corner outfielder.
I’m guessing that if Thompson were a left-handed hitter the White Sox might have been more inclined to take a flyer on him, at least for the short term and before truly elite outfield prospects like Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert are ready for prime time. I’d also venture to say that White Sox Executive VP Kenny Williams, who drafted this very athletic player with unmatched genetics was in favor of reacquiring his protege while current GM Rick Hahn gave him an “evil eye” response. lol
I would have liked Thompson as a Giant. Good upside here.
Best luck to Thompson, he will get mlb at bats.
Looks like Trayce Thompson will be on at least 3 different teams this year. Can’t imagine the Yankees keep him up all year when they’re at full strength.
Trayce is a good young player who has shown he can play at the big league level. He played well when he was called up by my Dodgers a couple years ago. He struggled after returning from a back injury which sidelined him for over a year. Coming back from any injury is tough especially for a young player, but a back injury is probably one of the hardest to return from.
After having a decent spring, I had hoped that the Dodgers could somehow keep him. But being out of minor league options, they had to let him walk because he needs consistent playing time to improve his game. I hope he finds a home somewhere where he can get the playing time he needs because he has a lot of talent and an obvious sports pedigree
When do Yankees fans ever shut up.
Usually, When it’s a non-Yankee article.
When do Yankee fan haters shut up?
This is a Yankee article, Lol. You telling Yankee fans not comment in their own articles? hate them that much? Lol
Good luck in NY Trayce. Quality outfielder with average 5 tool potential. Struggled with injuries for a few years but will be a solid depth piece for the Yankz