Yankees Notes and Opinions for 11/18
Other off-season pieces:
11/15/25
11/7/25
10/30/25
Japanese Free Agents
Rule 5 Primer
1. The Yankees add three prospects to the 40-man roster.
The three they protected (Elmer Rodriguez, Spencer Jones, Chase Hampton) were the top three on my primer list, so I consider that a win. FYI: His Baseball Reference page has been changed to reflect the name “Elmer Rodriguez” instead of “Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz.”
However, I placed Brock Selvidge in the same grouping as Hampton, so I consider that a loss.
They decided against protecting Henry Lalane, whom I was on the fence about (though I leaned towards “protect”). The talent is somewhere in his body, but the injuries have added up (and he wasn’t throwing extremely hard in his outings this year).
Those were the main five I featured. I pointed out that they may create room for a few others, but I can’t blame them for leaving a bunch of relief pitchers exposed.
A few people suggested Allen Facundo, who Fangraphs projected as a “must keep,” while I gave him a 0% chance. The reality is likely somewhere in between, as I should have written a blurb about him. Yes, he was throwing very hard late in the season, and he has 207 strikeouts in 148 minor league innings. However, he hasn’t advanced past Low-A. One thing that is consistent with this year’s list: The Yankees didn’t bother with any players in the lower minors.
2. Trent Grisham accepts qualifying offer
Since I have seen people ask: No, Grisham cannot be traded without his permission until mid-June. A player accepting a qualifying offer is the same as signing a free agent, and baseball doesn’t allow for “sign and trades.”
If you want a positive from this move, the Yankees aren’t overflowing with players who can handle center field.
That said, this limits their flexibility this winter, unless Jasson Dominguez is traded. If the Yankees aren’t convinced about Dominguez, now is the time to trade him. He has MLB experience and several years of team control.
If they are convinced he is an MLB-caliber outfielder, they are set in the outfield for 2026, and the likelihood of a similar lineup as 2025 (minus Cody Bellinger) goes up. Is it possible they will search for another outfielder, and have Grisham play the role of a very expensive #4 outfielder? Maybe, but I doubt it.
Overall, I am not happy with this development. We know the Yankees are on a budget. We don’t know what that budget is, but $22M is subtracted from it.
While Grisham is a center fielder, he declined defensively in 2025. Additionally, while he flashed power in the past (18 home runs per 162 games between 2020 and 2023), 2025 was an outlier. If he doesn’t bounce back defensively and declines offensively, you aren’t left with much.
“It’s only one year!” You know how much I hate this argument? Only one year of bad production is harmful. We aren’t talking about taking a flyer on Jay Bruce and hoping he still has something to offer. The Yankees easily moved on from Bruce. They are counting on Grisham to make a significant contribution.
From a minor league perspective, this certainly isn’t a vote of confidence in Spencer Jones. We’ll leave it there.
In unrelated news that would still interest Yankees fans, Gleyber Torres accepted the Tigers’ qualifying offer.
3. The Yankees re-sign Ryan Yarbrough
Speaking of flyers, the Yankees took one with Yarbrough in 2025, and it worked out fine. Unlike Grisham, if he doesn’t perform early in 2026, they can move on. The financial hit is low.
Yarbrough offers them protection, as several pitchers will miss the beginning of next season. While other moves are certainly possible (perhaps probable?), they have comfort in knowing that Yarbrough can give them 5-6 innings of average-to-solid pitching. Once he isn’t needed to start, long relief suits him fine as well.
4. Former Yankees’ prospects on the move…for each other.
The Tampa Bay Rays announced a trade today, sending OF Everson Pereira to the White Sox in exchange for RHP Yoendrys Gomez. Other players are included in the deal, but who cares?
Pereira was dealt to the Rays for Jose Caballero last year. The Yankees designated Gomez for assignment during the 2025 season, and he ended up with the Dodgers (World Series ring incoming!). The White Sox gave him an extended look after the Dodgers let him go, and he pitched to a 4.84 ERA in 48.1 innings.
Tampa Bay is always looking for hidden gems, so Gomez should get a fair chance to make the rotation. As for Pereira, is it possible his acquisition is setting up a Luis Robert Jr. deal? It doesn’t hurt to stock up on some outfielders if that is the plan.
5. Tatsuya Imai and Kazuma Okamoto will be posted tomorrow.
The Yankees reportedly have interest in Imai. I can see the fit, given their early-season injuries. I have my share of concerns, but one can’t deny the numbers, his relatively young age, and what should be a reasonable contract.
One could find a role for Okamoto as a right-handed corner bat. I don’t see any smoke there, however.