The Yankees’ 40-man roster has undergone significant transformation since their World Series clash with the Dodgers last week, showing notable voids in its composition. Several key contributors from their postseason campaign no longer occupy roster spots, including their outfield duo of Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo, infielders Anthony Rizzo and Gleyber Torres, plus bullpen specialists Tim Hill, Clay Holmes, and Tommy Kahnle.
In a strategic move to retain organizational depth, the Yankees secured three minor league veterans by adding them to their 40-man roster on Sunday, just before free agency commenced on Monday.
The additions include right-handed pitcher Yerry De Los Santos, catcher J.C. Escarra, and outfielder Taylor Trammell, all of whom concluded their 2024 campaigns with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
However, although the Yankees added outfielder Taylor, they traded Trammell for cash considerations on Monday evening, sending him from the Bronx to the Houston Astros
Yankees add two rookies to 40-man roster
Trammell’s 2024 season featured brief major league stints with both Los Angeles and New York, appearing in five games for each club, with his Yankees tenure yielding just two plate appearances. His primary impact came at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he posted a .256 batting average across 106 games, contributing 18 home runs, 20 doubles, two triples, and 63 RBI. His major league career spans 126 games with a .167 batting average, including 15 home runs and 16 doubles.
De los Santos joined the Yankees organization last November as a minor league free agent after spending seven years with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 26-year-old right-hander’s major league experience includes 48 appearances for Pittsburgh across two seasons, compiling a 1-4 record and 4.14 ERA while recording 44 strikeouts. His 2024 campaign at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre saw him appear in 51 games, posting a 2-2 record with a 4.12 ERA and 55 strikeouts over 59.0 innings.
The 29-year-old Escarra split his 2024 season between Double-A Somerset and Triple-A, compiling impressive numbers across 124 games. His .261 batting average (111-for-426) came with 77 runs scored, 32 doubles, three triples, 12 home runs, 64 RBIs, and 55 walks. Within the Yankees’ minor league system, he led in doubles and ranked prominently in several categories: tied for second in runs scored, third in extra-base hits (47), fourth in hits, and fifth in total bases (185).
The official free agency signing period opens Monday at 5 p.m., marking the end of the five-day waiting period following the World Series conclusion.
What do you think? Leave your comments below.
That’s a by product of free agency. You don’t have contract, you are no longer on the roster, therefore you don’t show up and longer in that team’s roster list.