FEB. 12: The Yankees announced that they have released Heller.
FEB. 10: The Yankees have designated right-handed reliever Ben Heller for assignment, according to a club announcement. The move clears roster space for right-hander Darren O’Day, whose previously reported deal with the Yankees has now been officially announced.
Originally acquired from the Indians alongside Clint Frazier and Justus Sheffield in the Andrew Miller blockbuster, the now-29-year-old Heller has seen sparing action with the Yankees in four seasons. Injuries have persistently dogged Heller, dealt with bone spurs early in 2018 before eventually learning he’d require Tommy John surgery. Those injuries knocked out his entire ’18 campaign and most of his ’19 season as well. He returned in 2020, but a nerve issue in his right biceps limited him to just six innings this past season.
Heller has pitched in parts of four seasons with the Yankees — 2016-17 and 2019-20 — but has totaled just 31 1/3 innings at the MLB level because of that broad array of arm troubles. Despite his minimal workload, he’s somewhat remarkably accrued more than three years of MLB service, albeit with most of that time coming on the 60-day injured list.
It has to be pointed out that Heller has been quietly effective in those 31 1/3 frames, working to a 2.59 ERA. However, his 21.7 percent strikeout rate and 10.9 percent walk rate are both worse than the league average, which has contributed to a less-bullish 4.20 SIERA mark.
Heller, who owns a 2.45 ERA and 32.5 percent strikeout rate in 99 Triple-A innings, still has a minor league option remaining, which could make him attractive to other clubs in need of bullpen depth. The Yankees will have a week to trade Heller, place him on outright waivers or release him.
He seems like the type of guy who just ended up in the wrong place. The Pirates look like a landing spot.
Phillies should make a move if they can spare a roster spot (why did we protect Falter again?)
The Miracle Worker, the story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan is a classic movie.
Another DarkSide comment. Yawn.
um, okay? What is the point of this complaint?
Solid pitcher when healthy. Would imagine most teams would inquire. I see the Red Sox as a good fit
The key part is ‘when healthy’, which is an historically unlikely scenario.
What’s a British person doing here?
The last obvious move for Yankees they resign Gardner and then release Greg Allen.
@mlbnyyfan- for some reason the Yankees are looking at Greg Allen to replace Gardy. Not really sure why? Was going to ask @hockeyjohn- for a scouting report on Greg Allen. Can he be a 4th outfielder? Is he a good fielder? Hope all is well. Long time no speak to.
Yank4life, I am well, just hate the I can not attend my sporting events as they are not letting season tickets holders attend games. Watching them on the computer is very annoying. Thanks for asking. I hope that you and your family are well.
Greg Allen is a good bench outfielder in my opinion He can play all three spots fine defensively as he came up a center fielder. He has speed and can steal a base. He just has not hit consistently enough to win a job. From what I know he is a very good person as well. He won’t have anywhere near Gardner’s bat, but he will be better defensively.
I hope that answers your question! Go Tribe!
I wonder if a trade with Colorado can make sense for both teams as long as Colorado takes salary back.
Trevor Story is the target here but the Yankees cannot fit him under the cap.
How does a deal with Hicks and Voit plus a close to majors high upside pitching prospect such as Albert Abreu and maybe a low level high reward high risk prospect sound?
DJ can move to first, Torres to second. This gives us a better defensive infield and more speed. Trading Hicks opens a hole in center especially since he is a switch hitter and we need more left handed bats in lineup but let’s be honest, he’s always hurt and to free up that contract and then maybe sign Gardner and hope Florian’s left handed bat proves ready at some point during the season could be worthwhile. I don’t think Colorado would do this deal but getting two major league bats like Hicks and Voit plus two prospects for a SS that’s gonna bolt at season end seems like a smart idea. Hicks is earning 10 mil a year and is 30yo so they can always turn around and deal him and get a nice return and Voit is also not making much. Both will hit pretty well in Colorado and only increase their value. Adding a Charlie Blackmon into this deal if Colorado ate a chunk of his contract may also be something to consider but the Yanks would have to try and dump more salary In That case?
No team will get a nice return for Hicks with his contract and injury history. He is a negative asset.
*Ben Heller claimed by the Pirates.
The Yankees are not getting Story. The needed to get Lindor or Didi and dump Stanton move Voit to DH. The Yankees desperately need some more lefty bats to balance the lineup. They didn’t do it so they will roll the dice again this season.
Who do you think they can “dump Stanton” to? He has a full no-trade contract and is owed $218 mill.ion for the next 7 years. He is a pure DH when healthy, and he’s not usually healthy
Who the F was gonna take on that contract?
Ben Heller was really never the same coming off TJ. Nice power arm for someone out there. Yanks are higher on Luis Cessa and Al Abreu, so Heller was the fall guy.
Cessa could kill a man and still not get the boot at this point
That’s some catch, that catch-22. It’s the best there is.
Cutting Heller, keeping Allen, and not negotiating with Gardner, at least so far, may indicate the Gardy Party is done. Letting Tanaka and Gardner leave without viable replacements is not a good strategy.
Tauchman is a viable replacement for Gardner.
They signed Kluber and traded for Taillon for rotation pieces.
Kluber and Taillon are iffy in ways Tanaka is not.
@MoRivera 1999- no worries give it a year. Ca$hman basically said the door is not closed for Masahiro coming back to the Yankees. The Yankees really just need for Taillon or Kluber to have a good year. If one can win 14-15 wins the Yankees should easily run away with the AL East. Tampa doesn’t have Snell or Morton. And Dunedin doesn’t have any pitching this year, so no worries.
I’ve known Ben Heller since his freshman yr in college. Highest character individual you will ever know. Has a very compelling personal story. Too bad the injury bug has bit him over the past few years but I wouldn’t count him out!
now DD definately needs to get him, unless this is to allow him to go to the NPB.
I cannot understand the love for Ben Heller. If there ever was an meh pitcher ( one who did not stand out good or bad) it was Ben Heller
NY_Yankee- me neither Cessa and Abreu definitely have a lot more upside then Heller. The Yanks did the right thing here.
He did strike out 2000 people in a row in one game in the minors. Means he will be great.
I don’t understand why you wouldn’t just outright the kid. He’s solid enough to keep on your roster
@bravesfan- can’t outright him when he is out of options. Then he becomes a free agent. Heller has enough talent where he will catch on with a team like the Phillies and really improve their bullpen.
“can’t outright him when he is out of options. Then he becomes a free agent.” Not quite. You can outright a player once, if he is out of options; the second time, he can elect FA. But in Heller’s case, the issue is a second restriction– he has too much ML service time.
Too long, service-time wise, for them to keep him in their system; i.e. to “outright” him. The can, of course, sign him to a minor deal as a free agent.
@bobtillman- Heller no doubt will be claimed. If not we would love to have him back at AAA.
He’s not being claimed. he already passed waivers and was released
Adios