The Yankees have signed right-hander James Norwood to a minor league deal, according to Jack Curry of YES Network. Norwood will presumably receive an invite to major league Spring Training, though no official announcement has been made.
Norwood, 29 later this month, has seen limited big league action in each of the past five seasons. Spending time with the Cubs, Padres and Phillies, he’s tallied a combined 44 1/3 innings over those seasons with a 5.48 ERA. In 2022, he threw 17 1/3 frames with an ERA of 8.31, though likely deserved better. His 25.9% strikeout rate was strong and his 10.6% walk rate high but within range of average. A .423 batting average on balls in play and 53% strand rate surely added some extra earned runs to his ledger.
It was a fairly similar story in Triple-A, with the righty posting a 4.87 ERA in 20 1/3 innings. He struck out 27.3% of batters faced but was undone by a 12.5% walk rate, .358 BABIP and 56.7% strand rate.
Norwood will provide the Yanks with an experienced depth option and also a local connection. As noted by Curry, he went to All Hallows High School in the Bronx, just a couple of blocks away from Yankee Stadium. Norwood is out of options and will have to hang onto a roster spot if he earns one, or else be designated for assignment.
Finally, the big deal we have been hearing about. More of Cashman’s dumpster diving for depth.
Doc, on the Yes Network they completely debunked the Correa/Tatis Jr rumors.
No way are the Yankees spending on Correa.
Jack Curry is the man to follow on YES. He always has inside info on which direction the Yankees are leaning.
Yep, according to Kay they never even called in on Correa & won’t be bidding at all.
hey Clipper, as you know, I am not surprised at all. But it’s too bad really we could use either one of them, or ideally both of them.
Well, there are rumors that Yanks are re-engaged with Miami on Lopez too. I’d tend to believe that one a bit more.
@clipper. thanks for the update, I do not get Yes. But I’d be inclined to believe that one more too, it’s more their style. And they were reportedly interested in him before, as you well know.
I don’t know if he would be a true difference maker though, but you can never have enough depth that’s for sure. But definitely not the signing we have been hoping for .
Arron Judge isn’t Dumpster diving.
Nope. That was completely botching a negotiation and overpaying as a result.
@pink. Exactly my sentiments. And good for judge , he should get as much as he can. But bad for the Yankees and the fans if it limits what other moves can be made, and as Yankee fans we know that it will. That’s how they roll.
We’ll see soon enough if Hal’s had an epiphany about spending money to make money or if he’ll follow the same familiar pattern.
As much a do want the Yankees to get a better pitcher (Rodon being the one available this year), the next two years offer some really good options. Urias, Nola, Ohtani, Giolito, and more. If Rodon won’t restrict them, fine, but if his signing now will impact them signing any of these guys, it may be better to wait.
@Clipper. Good points clipper, and as Yankee fans we know that it will restrict their spending. That’s just how they do things.
Yeah, they got him! Carlos Rod…oh. Well, they signed someone.
This is the deal that heyman has been talking about. I guess now we don’t need Rodon!
@Dr2022- yes we know when Mr. Jon Heyman has been talking about something it always get done! -Arson Judge…
Clip, you get a Cashman extension AND Norwood and you still want MORE?!??? How greedy are you anyway?!
True, I mean as it is the Astros are never going to catch us.
@clipper. But the Astros are closing the gap, after all.
If the Bombers do nothing else, they win 95+ games and are in the playoffs. Rodon is not CC, he’s not a horse to ride for 3 years and then a solid guy for four more that can pitch a big game. Rodon was injured/average for 5 years and even in the last two where his numbers improved he’s still fragile. A 7 year deal with Rodon for any team is a mistake.
Unfortunately, because of the Yankees self-imposed cost-savings measures over the past five years, Rodon has all the leverage. Yankees need to improve the rotation to compete with Astros and win a WS. Rodon is the only one available who could actually do that.
Once again, Yankees will overpay for someone they didn’t have to get because they tried to save less money on a guy they should’ve acquired already. It’s the same cycle with this team. Always waiting until it’s too late and then overspending to make up for it, usually with someone of equal or lesser value.
Hey clipper, you are right about that. But even more importantly, we need to markedly improve the offense. The Astros have our number in that department, we need to upset the apple cart a little bit ,and bring in some players that can actually hit them, or who they cannot get out as readily.
Yeah, you’re right about that Doc. Pitching has been better and more consistent than offense, but I just don’t trust the rotation to hold up. Too many injury questions.
Nevertheless, you’re right, we need more offense. We have Bader who should be a big improvement over Hicks, and we need a LFer. We could use a 3B too. SS will take care of itself.
I agree with you clipper. And you are right ,shortstop will take care of itself, but hopefully in a good way ,meaning the kids will be allowed to play, and will be impact players. And we don’t have to watch IKF all year.
Yeah, I meant Volpe, Peraza, or Cabrera even. Not IKF. Love him as a utility guy, not a starting SS.
Your move 29 other teams!
Cashman you sneaky genius. The Yankees are back on top!
I hope he’s better then that Buffalo Bills kicker Norwood? I guess our boi CROD is going elsewhere?
I was a freshman and laid my first Super Bowl bet on that wide right game.
You’d think I’d learn a lesson there, but no.
Hey these kind of things tend to happen in life sometimes. Just don’t take it to heart. I’m sure your okay now?
I’m fine. I rarely gamble. That was just a heck of an introduction ha ha.
HHJJ you are a Santa Anita regular and you know it!!! Haha
I was at the game against the Mets where Girardi put him in for the 9th in a 7-2 game and the Mets scored 6 off him and then Knebel and won 8-7. Brutal
Soon as Norwood gave up the first run, he should’ve been gone. Feel for the kid, but he had to be pulled and Girardi was too stubborn. Glad Norwood is elsewhere.
Wow, he definitely sounds like a keeper! Charmed!
Still tasting saltiness?
@Ricetto- That’s from your Mom, and I just had a piece!
You’re right about that captain. We can put him on the bench along with Donaldson IKF and Hicks
I would’ve rather had Verlander myself, at least we’d be able to get a glimpse of Kate Upton all the time.
@Dr2022- Just watch the games when Verlander pitches I’m sure she’ll be around and available for you. No worries. I mean your the Dr.
I’m going to have to do that, thanks for the suggestion. I appreciate it.
Girardi loves this kid, and it cost the Phillies big time. Also led to one of the greatest comebacks in Mets history that would’ve never happened under a real manager.
Can we take it easy with all the “Girardi hate” since he’s a Yankee legend.
Apologies, but he was awful for the Phils and that 2009 Yankees team was so good, I could’ve managed them to a World Series.
Yeah you probably could of. How old were you in 2009?
Those were my prime baseball fan years. Was in my early 20s.
@VonPurpleHayes- Wow you we’re so young in 09’ I was almost in my mid 30’s. So long ago it seems. I still wish I could go back though. Lol.
Would make a great story if he got to pitch a couple of innings in the big park in the Bronx.
It would be similar to Andrew Velasquez. However, it would also mean the Yankees have problems if he takes the YS mound. As he’s out of options, they’ll DFA him the same day.
I still don’t think he will hold a candle to Weber – the DFA champ!
“Check and mate.” -Cashman to Steve Cohen, probably.
“Your move”
Hal to Stevie
Nothing gets the Long Island amateur comedians going quite like depth signings
It’s gotta suck being the a guy that signed a minors contract when there are several elephants in the room.
Will the Yankees play Fishbone when he comes out of the pen?
Have the Yankees added anyone of value yet? Last I saw, they’re just paying more — a lot more — to run back judge and Rizzo, while losing BP arms, a OFer and still stuck with Donaldson for years. Mets taking your wives out to dinner everyday this month!
Might as well start planning the parade now.
Who?
Solid chance this dude caused the Phillies to fire Girardi, Joe kept going into him on high leverage situations and he kept failing miserably and then joe got fired with one of the reasons being the “misuse of the bullpen”
If Girardi got fired because of Norwood, Norwood should get MVP votes.
TRUE
We are set boys, 28 is finally ours. Trashman will prove that he is a genius and doesn’t need to spend big bucks….
The Yankees have a great organization that has been the envy of many baseball fans, if not sports fans all around the world. Consistency is a big deal, they might not be the best right NOW but they are the best in history. After so many championships I can understand when in times where salaries are becoming absurd, they sit back and make some money. As a fan I don’t want to hear that, as a business man I can respect the strategy. Whenever the Yankees decide to go all out again they’ll make all of us wish we never 2nd guessed them.
Don’t awake the sleeping giant!
Hope for NYY’s sake he doesn’t rise past AAA.
So this is the so-called something big?
Get the parade ready
In all seriousness he’s actually got a lot of potential. He could easily make the opening day roster.
People love to mock these depth signings, but they are useful in roster management. These types of commodity players can be brought up when there is a very short term gap in the roster, play an inning, and then be released. This avoids having to jerk a more valuable young player up and down and disrupt their development; or having to expose a more valuable player to waivers when the gap ends; or adding a prospect prematurely to the 40.