The Yankees are re-signing infielder Amed Rosario to a one-year contract. The deal pays Rosario $2.5MM in salary, plus another $225K is available in incentive bonuses. Rosario is represented by Octagon.
Acquired from the Nationals at the trade deadline, Rosario hit .303/.303/.485 over 33 plate appearances and 16 games for New York, and his playing time was further limited by a 10-day injured list stint due to a left SC joint sprain. Still, Rosario lived up to expectations by chipping in at second base, third base, and in right field, while providing the Yankees with a productive right-handed hitting bat.
That righty-swinging balance is a plus within a New York lineup that is heavy in left-handed batters, and having Rosario back will give the Yankees some platoon flexibility with either Ryan McMahon at third base or even Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second base. McMahon is a superb defender but a much lesser hitter than Chisholm, so Rosario will probably get most of his playing time spelling McMahon at least against southpaws.
Once regarded as one of baseball’s top prospects during his time in the Mets’ farm system, Rosario posted some okay offensive numbers as a regular with the Mets and Guardians. His overall effectiveness was limited by a lack of walks, struggles against right-handed pitching, and subpar defending at the shortstop position.
Though he is only entering his age-30 season, Rosario now looks to have settled into a role as a part-time player who can fill in at multiple positions, though he doesn’t provide much defensive value anywhere. His biggest plus is his ability to hit southpaws, as Rosario has a career .298/.336/.464 slash line in 1196 PA against left-handed pitching.
The Yankees clearly liked what they saw in Rosario last year, and after bouncing around to six different teams since the start of the 2023 season, Rosario probably appreciates some stability in returning to the Bronx for a full season in the pinstripes. He receives a slight raise over the $2MM deal he received from Washington last winter.
With Rosario back in the fold, the Yankees have brought some experienced depth back into the infield mix. Anthony Volpe will miss the start of the season recovering from shoulder surgery, so if Jose Caballero ends up getting a lot of the shortstop time in Volpe’s absence, Rosario’s presence helps fill the utility void on New York’s bench. Brendan Donovan is another versatile player known to be on the Yankees’ trade radar, plus the club has also been more loosely linked to All-Star Bo Bichette, in what would be an even more seismic shake-up of the Bronx infield.
Jack Curry of YES Network was the first to report that Rosario was re-signing with the Yankees on a one-year deal. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Rosario’s $2.5MM salary, and ESPN’s Jorge Castillo added the news about the incentive bonuses.
Great solid move for the bench. I’m glad he’s coming back
McMahon was OPS+ 81 for the Yankees last year. Rather expensive for excellent defense and a weak bat. But Rosario is still a pure backup.
Offseason done – Hal
“We did it, Patrick! We saved the city!”
A right-handed bench hitter that can give you a good at bat, and the dude became the hype man for the Yankees. That was an easy move to make for Cashman.
So much for the Orioles having the best lineup in the AL East. ~
(Ducks for cover)
Pete Alonso is chump change, Yankees have Volpe!
I heard the Yankees are all in on Mr. Met, while the Mets are offering a 1 yr @ 200 mill deal to Derek Jeter (but won’t go 2 years @ 40 mill per).
“And Volpe injured is TWICE the player that Pete Alonso is….”
– Aaron Boone (probably)
Unfortunately as a Yankee fan, this will be the type of signing going forward this year. Good pickup in a vacuum, but this team needs needle movers a la Bichette, Tucker, Imai
@Mrpap
Kick rocks. This idea that the Yanks have suddenly decided not to spend is so stupid. Freid, Beli, Williams, Goldy – Cortez and a couple of minor leaugers could’ve easily been $60-$70 before luxury taxes put back in their pockets. Am I the only one that remembers when the Yanks literally had ex all- stars at every position that were all aging into their 30s at the same time with virtually no ability to move them for younger players and no farm? I’m not mad if they think had about issuing guys contracts that pay guys tens of millions well into their late 30s. You take that risk with Judge and Stanton and so fast it’s 50/50. I doubt Rosario represents even a top 5 move they’ll make before ST.
They also offered a princess’s dowry to Soto. Not chump change
@KnicksFanCavsFan
“Am I the only one that remembers when the Yanks literally had ex all- stars at every position that were all aging into their 30s at the same time with virtually no ability to move them for younger players and no farm?”
The only guys I can think of is ARod, Ellsbury, Hicks, and DJL non-concurrently so no. That hasn’t stopped the Yankees from contending.
The prices this offseason make no sense to me. Some sky high and some like nothing at all. This should be a $5m deal in today’s market
Yeah, this is peanuts. Rosario isn’t anything special, but he’s a solid bench guy.
Yankees strike big! lol
Solid bench guy, and very cheap. Welcome back, Ahmed!
No “h”
It was a quick post. Worth a comment? Nah.
He never lived up to his big-time prospect status, but he’s quietly settled in as a very solid utility piece at an extremely affordable price. Solid move for NYY bringing him back.
Leaves one hitter spot for Belli. Although Volpe will start year on IL.
Good move for the bench..now let’s get Bellinger signed already.
The stove is hot!
Searing haht!
Now if they sign Bellinger, go after middle relief arms. I would be okay with those moves, not happy . But keeps us in the hunt.
Makes sense, he was big for them after getting traded this year. Good complement to their largely LH starting infield.
Cashman afternoon nap has concluded
This is a good piece to the puzzle, but still a lot of work to be done!
Yankees filled the utility spot but still need to figure out the Bellinger situation and probably need a RH hitting option that can play 1B
@RSox
I definitely get that Rice, assuming he’s the starting 1B, struggled to hit RHP as evident by his .683 OPS in his brief career but “brief” is the operative world. I wonder “how does a young hitter improve vs a weak side they struggle against if they don’t get reps in game situations?”. I see the wisdom of having an option but If rather that option be able to play other useful positions rather than just 1B. And I’m willing to let Rice and others work thru their pains with the understanding that they REALLY need to work thru it quickly.
The Yankees are not in a Bellinger “situation”. Sounds like they have offered the five-year contract in the range of the Alonso and Schwarber deals, and his agent is asking for seven years. They won’t give him seven years. That isn’t a situation, it’s a negotiation. Sounds like Bellinger won’t sign until after Tucker. They have the same agent (Boras).
@Rsox
Bellinger is too old. Yankees need to get younger and get rid of a bunch of dead wood contracts before they become dominant again.
In New York, making only $2.5 million a year means you still qualify for welfare and food stamps.
@mlb fan
Thank goodness for welfare and food stamps. I don’t think I’d be able to work as a full-time greeter at Walmart without it…
Awesome, now let’s get 2 bats to help Judge out lest he become Mike Trout on the Angels.
Good opt. RH hitter who hits LHP. Can play several positions, can run well, does not cost much in Baseball Bucks. You do not have to fill the roster in any predetermined order. Yanks need Bellinger or Tucker though. They know that. They could still use a RH hitter with some thump.
Hot Take: Rosario and Polanco have identical WAR next year.
500 save club next season?
Rosario is going to have a pretty hard time racking up 500 saves in 2026.
Lol. Site disappeared then came back to this article!
This goes in the smart column next to the yarborough resigning