The Yankees moved on from two players ahead of Friday’s non-tender deadline, sending infielder Jon Berti and reliever Tim Mayza to free agency.
While Berti and Mayza were non-tendered, the Yankees announced that they agreed to terms on one-year contracts with outfielder Trent Grisham and right-hander JT Brubaker. Those two players will now avoid arbitration.
By non-tendering Berti and Mayza, the Yankees’ 40-man roster now stands at 35 players. Using MLB Trade Rumors’ projected salaries, the Yankees will save nearly $8 million on Berti and Mayza, money that can be used to plug other holes this offseason.
The Yankees acquired Berti from the Marlins in a three-team deal before Opening Day this past spring after DJ LeMahieu went down with a spring training foot injury. Between his versatility, speed and contact profile at the plate, Berti was poised to be a solid fit, but his own barrage of injuries kept the veteran from settling in with his new team.
SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE YANKEES NEWSLETTER:
Berti hurt his groin a few weeks into the regular season, came back for most of May and then suffered a significant calf strain in San Diego on May 24. He didn’t play again until early September, suiting up in only eight games before the playoffs.
After three starts in the playoffs, helping to fill in for Anthony Rizzo at first base, Berti was left off the Yankees’ roster for the World Series. It was revealed that he suffered a hip flexor strain in the final game of the American League Championship Series when he scored as a pinch runner.
All told, Berti hit .273 this season with a .661 OPS over 25 games in the regular season.
The Berti decision is another sign that the Yankees are high on prospect Caleb Durbin, who was added to the club’s 40-man roster earlier this week. Durbin can play both second and third base, he’s a right-handed hitter with elite bat-to-ball skills, he’s a consistent threat to steal bases and he’s more cost effective than someone like Berti. Other than Durbin, Oswaldo Cabrera, Oswald Peraza and Jorbit Vivas are some current candidates to serve in a utility role off the bench next season.
Mayza signed a minor-league deal with the Yankees this summer after getting released by the Blue Jays. He had a ghastly 8.03 ERA with Toronto over his first 35 outings to begin the year, a significant dip in production for a reliever who had been a key piece in the Blue Jays’ bullpen over the previous few years.
When the left-hander got called up by the Yankees late in the regular season, he posted a 4.00 ERA over 15 outings in pinstripes. Mayza didn’t give up a run over 2 1/3 innings in the playoffs.
Mayza’s departure means the Yankees now have zero lefty relievers on their 40-man roster. Starters Carlos Rodón and Nestor Cortes are the only other left-handed pitchers on the roster as of Friday night.
The Yankees could’ve non-tendered Grisham, who rarely played during this past season. It’s possible they’re still planning to get rid of him, simply preferring to shop him around on the trade market. That would allow them to potentially get something in return.
Last fall, catcher Kyle Higashioka was a leading candidate to be non-tendered and while he survived the tender deadline, he was traded away (in the Juan Soto deal with the Padres) that December.
Grisham’s deal for next season is on the pricey side for a backup outfielder, though. He’ll earn $5 million, according to Jorge Castillo of ESPN. The left-hander, known for his defense in center field, hit .190 with a .675 OPS over 76 games in 2024.
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.
Max Goodman may be reached at mgoodman@njadvancemedia.com.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
