The Yankees have outrighted relievers Nick Burdi and Phil Bickford, per the team’s transaction log at MLB.com. Both right-handers were designated for assignment over the weekend when the Yanks reinstated Ian Hamilton and Clarke Schmidt from the 60-day injured list.
Burdi, 31, pitched 9 2/3 innings for the Yankees and allowed only two runs (1.86 ERA), but he also walked nine of his 45 opponents and plunked another pair. Put another way, he allowed 24.4% of his opponents to reach base without putting the ball in play, which obviously made that small-sample ERA feel rather unsustainable. The flamethrowing righty and former top prospect still sits 97.7 mph with his four-seamer, but Burdi’s career has been devastated by injuries and this year hasn’t been an exception. He was twice placed on the 15-day IL due to a right hip injury, eventually moving to the 60-day IL after the second of those two placements.
Burdi was the No. 46 overall draft pick in 2014, going to the Twins after a standout career as Louisville’s closer. Multiple arm injuries, including a pair of Tommy John procedures, have derailed him. He’s appeared in 31 big league games and tallied only 25 MLB innings, pitching to a 6.48 ERA with a big 32.5% strikeout rate but also a glaring 16.4% walk rate in that time.
Bickford, 29, pitched in an even smaller slate of 8 1/3 innings for the Yankees this year. He was tagged for nine runs (eight earned) on 10 hits and one walk with six strikeouts in that time. Another former top pick — No. 18 overall to the Giants in 2015 — Bickford had a big season with the 2021 Dodgers when he pitched 50 1/3 innings of 2.50 ERA ball out of the Los Angeles bullpen.
He’s been unable to replicate that success in the three seasons since, however, working to a combined 5.07 ERA in 136 1/3 innings while his fastball his dipped by a mile per hour and while his walk and strikeout rates have trended in the wrong direction. Bickford has a lifetime 4.62 ERA in 189 big league frames, but the entirety of his success has been confined to that excellent 2021 showing.
Both Burdi and Bickford can reject their outright assignments in favor of free agency. Even if they accept, they’ll be able to become minor league free agents at season’s end.
At long last, Cashman makes his move.
Bickford is fungible. Burdi still has upside with that arm, but hasn’t had health. He’ll find a market and multiple options, either now or in the off season.
Fungible, is that our word of the day?
As much as I like dictionaries, I would have just said he stinks.
Sometimes I grow tired of writing a player sucks and is easily replaceable!
There are still 2-3 moves to be made.
1. Cody Poteet.
2. Lou Trivino.
3. Scott Effross.
Poteet is likely taking Mayza’s slot, and is the only 1 of these 3 that is guaranteed to be brought up.
Lou Trivino could bump Hill.
From what I read, Effross has not been doing that well in his rehab, and could stay down for the simple reason that no one beyond Mayza and Hill should be DFA’ed for him.
Trivino and Effross not going to be called up as they simply not looking good. Trivino has a $5 million team iption that will be declined. Poteet has options so dont be surprised Yankees roll with their only 2 lefties in bullpen besides Cortes
Poteet was a beast before he got injured, he can spot start, he can go 3+ IP’s in mopup or if it is needed.
That makes him more valuable than Mayza or Hill, and I can see Hill being the 1st one to go over Mayza since Hill is a FA after this season.
Effross was called up and then sent back down.
He was ineffective at the major league level.
Phil bumford
I’m happy Burdi didn’t get claimed. It’s a big “if” but with some control he’d be a late inning beast.
Burdi is a project, both in terms of control and health.
Having said that, he is controllable via arbitration until after the 2026 season, and cost only $800k this season, and would likely not cost more than that even with arbitration, MAYBE 200-300k raise at most.
With all the 40 man slots opening (I count as many as 11 if they DFA DJ), he could be worth a flyer, and due to his cost, no biggie if he goes.
Oh man… I wish they’d DFA LeGroundout but I don’t think so. I assume he gets at least a few months next year. It was a terrible deal the day he signed it. I don’t love the teams luxury tax strategy of lowering AAV by signing guys too long. He hit the wall faster and harder than I anticipated but buyer beware going long term on a good (not great) guy deep into his 30’s.
So, basically the guardians and Milwaukee are the only non top 10 payrolls to make playoffs