The New York Yankees announced on Tuesday that they’ve signed veteran right-hander Adam Ottavino to a major-league deal. The move came as closer Devin Williams was placed on the paternity list. Ottavino, 39, returns to the Bronx after three seasons with the Mets and a brief stint with the Red Sox this spring.
While the bullpen needed reinforcement, the signing was met with widespread skepticism among Yankees fans.
Fan reaction: “This has to be a joke”
As news of the move hit social media, fan reaction was immediate—and overwhelmingly negative. “This has to be an April Fools’ joke, right?” one fan posted on X, echoing a wave of confusion that quickly turned into disapproval.
GIFs of head-shaking Yankees fans flooded timelines, and some went as far as booing the move digitally. One user wrote, “We’re really signing a 39-year-old who couldn’t even make the Red Sox roster?” Another added, “This guy left for Boston. You don’t come back from that.”
Ottavino was lights out in his 2019 campaign with the Yankees, putting up a 1.90 ERA and 88 strikeouts over 66.1 innings. But it’s his 2020 struggles that fans remember most—an ugly 5.89 ERA in 18.1 innings during the COVID-shortened season.
After that, he joined the Red Sox, a move that many fans haven’t forgotten. “It’s not just that he struggled,” one fan posted, “he did it in Boston colors. That’s a dealbreaker.”
From opt-out to Yankees in under two weeks
Following a rocky spring with the Red Sox—where he gave up six earned runs in just five innings—Ottavino opted out of his deal on March 23. The Yankees moved quickly to sign him, but fans questioned why he was brought in at all when younger arms could have filled the gap.
“He was available for a reason,” one fan said. “This feels like a desperation move.”
With Devin Williams temporarily out, the Yankees bullpen will be reshuffled. Luke Weaver is expected to close games, with Mark Leiter Jr. handling the eighth and Fernando Cruz likely getting looks in the seventh. Ottavino joins Yoendrys Gómez as a right-handed middle relief option—but his exact role remains unclear.
Whether Ottavino proves useful or not, one thing is certain: the fanbase isn’t thrilled. From sarcastic posts to outright boos, the reaction reflects a lack of confidence that this move will make a difference.
Unless Ottavino rediscovers his 2019 form, the skepticism is unlikely to fade. For now, Yankees fans are treating the signing less like a welcome reunion—and more like a punchline.
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