The Yankees announced their 60-player Spring Training player pool earlier today, a list that included a couple of new faces to the organization. New York announced that infielder Matt Duffy and catcher Max McDowell were signed to minor league contracts, while righty Dan Otero was released from his previous minors deal with the club and re-signed to a new pact. In addition, right-hander Luis Severino was officially placed on the 60-day injured list in the wake of his Tommy John surgery last February.
Duffy was most recently a member of the Rangers organization, though Texas announced earlier today that Duffy had been released. It didn’t take him long to catch on with another team, as Duffy will now return to the AL East in the pinstripes after spending the last four seasons with the Rays.
Acquired in the 2016 trade that saw Matt Moore go from Tampa to San Francisco, the Rays had hopes that Duffy would become an everyday infielder, though Duffy was plagued by injuries. Duffy did manage a solid .294/.361/.366 slash line over 560 PA and 132 games for Tampa Bay in 2018, though that performance was sandwiched between missing the entire 2017 season and only 46 games played in 2019. Duffy has worked mostly as a third baseman, though he has enough experience at second base and shortstop that could provide utility depth for the Yankees if he cracks the MLB roster.
McDowell joins the Yankees after spending his five pro seasons with the Brewers, who selected him in the 13th round of the 2015 draft. McDowell has hit .232/.335/.323 over 1417 career plate appearances in the minors.
It’s safe to assume that Otero’s new deal overwrites some type of opt-out clause in his previous minor league pact, signed back in early February. The 35-year-old groundball specialist is looking to bounce back from a pair of shaky seasons in Cleveland’s bullpen, as Otero had a lot of trouble with home runs (1.8 HR/9) when batters did manage to get the ball in the air against him. Otero’s 5.09 ERA in 88 1/3 innings over the last two seasons stands in sharp contrast to his 2016-17 numbers — a 2.14 ERA, 5.00 K/BB rate, and 6.5 K/9 over 130 2/3 frames for the Tribe.
Matt Duffy.Lol
The singles king!
Above average “D” at 3B, average at SS and 2B, a .338 career OBP with a 17% K-rate….plays the game well, young players seem to flock to him….there are worse backup options out there, for the price (minimum)…if of course he’s healthy (always an issue).
If he plays a few days a week he should be fine, especially for a 60 game set.
Yankees love the Sojo, Torreyes type. They’re fun and they balance out a lumber heavy lineup…
‘zactly.
Solid player. The write up mentioned the strong OBP. He hit 12 jacks in SF in ’15.
Swiped 12 bags in ’15 & ’18. Throughout his career he’s been above average with the glove.
Could do a lot worse as a depth piece.
I remember looking up Otero a few months ago. Guy could be a decent middle reliever (only potential weakness I see on this roster). Home runs killed him.
I know nothing about McDowell. Brewers fans input would be welcome.
All in all these are decent marginal upgrades.
Or…so I think.
:)
Brewers are quite thin at catching in the higher minors. If they let McDowell go without fuss, safe to assume they don’t think he’s worth a damn
Surprised Rangers didn’t bring him back to camp ⚾️
The Yankees have an exceptionally keen sense for bringing in the ‘right’ utility or backup players. Look at Voit, Urshela, Tauchman and LeMahieu. Each were signed/acquired/promoted to fill a backup role and all ended up being significant contributors to the team. If Duffy makes the roster, I won’t be surprised if he’s the next one to add to this list. Maybe they’re on to something about having everyone shave their beards and cut their hair!
LeMahieu was always going to start in some capacity
At the time he didn’t have a position. He probably had the best year in memory for a guy that didn’t start opening day = )
Does this mean that Tyler Wade once again not giving a chance to earn a utility spot. He’s literally one of the few guys who can pinch run especially with new extra innings rule.
I wouldn’t think so?
My guess is that Duffy was signed merely for depth. I understand the Yankees reticence when it comes to Wade, though.
His bat hasn’t looked MLB capable.
I’m rooting for the kid but I get why the Yanks decided to stock up.
I’m a big fan of Wade, as well. A big problem for Wade has been that he’s been up and down, but never for long enough to find his rhythm. I think he only has 218 total AB’s, and those are spread over three partial seasons, and numerous call ups from Scranton. Wade could become the best defensive infielder on this team, at every IF position. If he gets the opportunity to play regularly, and doesn’t press, he’ll turn some heads with his bat. Kid’s got a little pop, too.
For just a minor league deal, that is a very good signing for the Yankees.