The Yankees are staying engaged in the offseason, securing the services of two players, who they had earlier dumped off the regular roster, on minor-league contracts.
As reported by YES Network’s Jack Curry on Friday, the Yankees have inked minor-league deals with Billy McKinney and Anthony Misiewicz.
Billy McKinney returns to the Yankees
McKinney, in 48 games last season, recorded a slash line of .227/.320/.406 with 10 extra-base hits in 147 plate appearances, which included six home runs. This performance marks a significant departure from his standing just a year earlier.
After securing a spot on the Opening Day roster for the Oakland A’s, the team that selected him in the first round of the 2013 draft, McKinney faced a setback. He was designated for assignment by the A’s after just 23 games in 2022, during which he struggled, going 5 for 52 with a .331 OPS.
However, McKinney rebounded by concluding the season in Triple-A Las Vegas, where he showcased significant improvement. In 69 games, he posted impressive numbers with a .295 batting average and a .926 OPS, including 12 home runs and 49 RBIs.
However, on November 2, the Yankees cut him away from the roster after optioning him off to the minors. He preferred free agency four days later.
Recognizing the potential in McKinney, a former top-100 MLB prospect, the Yankees took a chance on him for the second time in 2023. McKinney, who was previously part of the deal that brought Gleyber Torres to New York, had been with the organization for two years in the past.
As it turns out, the gamble on the 29-year-old outfielder was worthwhile.
Misiewicz gets another Yankees chance
Misiewicz had a brief stint with New York, featuring in only three games last season and recording a 3.38 ERA with two strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings. Unfortunately, his season was cut short after being hit by a 100.6 mph line drive to the left side of his head during a game against the Pirates in September.
Drafted in the 18th round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Mariners, Misiewicz made his MLB debut in 2020. Since then, he has participated in 130 games with four different teams, accumulating a career 4.71 ERA with 113 strikeouts in 114 2/3 innings.
He was among the three pitchers, who the Yankees dropped from the active roaster in early November.
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