The Yankees have signed infielder Andrew Velazquez to a new minor league contract, according to his MLB.com profile page. Velazquez was released from his previous minors deal on August 3, and he’ll now return to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after testing the open market.
A veteran of six MLB seasons, Velazquez hit .189/.244/.293 over 624 plate appearances and 275 games with five different teams from 2018-23. Most of his playing time (179 games) came with the Angels during the 22-23 seasons, and Velazquez had close to a starting role as the Halos’ shortstop in the 2022 campaign. His time in Los Angeles ended when he was claimed off waivers by the Braves in September 2023, and Velazquez hasn’t been back to the majors since, playing with Atlanta’s Triple-A team in 2024 and then spending all of 2025 in SWB.
This latest contract represents the fourth time Velazquez has signed with the Yankees, and the Bronx native saw some big league action with his hometown team in the form of 28 games in the pinstripes in 2021. While the local flavor doesn’t hurt, Velasquez is a known quantity to the New York organization who can provide defensive versatility even if he doesn’t offer much at the plate. Velasquez has primarily played shortstop during his career, but he has a lot of experience at second base, third base, and all three outfield positions (primarily center). His work on the grass this year has been limited to a single appearance in center field, indicating that the Yankees view him as an emergency outfielder at best.
pure vibes signing
A key signing right here.
Trashman knows the moves to put the Bombers over the top.
Yeah and you’re just going to sign superstars in august. I don’t think fake Yankee fans realize all teams make signings like this.
I guess getting a solid 3rd baseman and 2 elite relievers weren’t good moves that he made at the deadline.
Velasquez always reminded me of Andrelton Simmons but worse in every way, including the bat
If volpe hits horribly again this guy can’t be much worse but volpe has been better recently
translation: he has alternative opinions that triggers certain people who do not tolerate dissenting views.
Welcome back, Squid!
Hopefully they signed him as a manager.
Why do you want to boycott Sidney Sweeney?
The true test of a FO that knows what it’s doing is when they re sign guys they gave up on. Well Played.
They didn’t give up on him. They released him, presumably at his request and as agreed in his contract, so that he could shop himself around to other teams, as happens with many veterans on minor league contracts at the beginning of the month. Not having found any better opportunities out there, he was apparently happy to resign with them to resume his role as AAA utility infielder. The only thing we can really infer from this is that Velazquez and the Yankees have a pretty good working relationship. Hell, he seems like the kind of guy who might end up getting onto the coaching ladder with the Yankees once his playing days are done.
They want him for his defensive versatility. Stanton needs to be late-inning subbed in RF. If his sub goes down with injury, then Squid will be called up for defense. Then again, Judge may be back in RF again soon.
Per usual, some silly folks here always over-react with MiLB depth signings and can’t look beyond face value.
Love it love it let’s go Squid!
We can’t quit you!
Good signing
I’m just relieved the Yankees front office continues their commitment to fielding a line up that can get 4/5/6 hits a game…
And this is how there going to turn things around? By resigning ex players? Where’s the player evaluation there? The same retreads.
To be honest, you’re probably not going to do much better for a spare infielder for Scranton. Certainly not in August.