Yankees Notes and Opinions for 1/15

Other articles:
Ryan Weathers trade
Cody Bellinger thoughts

1. International Signing Day

There was a rumor earlier this month that the Yankees decided to void all their “handshake” deals with international free agents. The biggest name they lost was Wandy Asigen, who signed for $3.9M with the Mets.

It seems there might have been some truth to those rumors, as the Yankees (as of now) have one of their cheapest and weakest signing days in years.

None of the seven are on the Pipeline Top 50, and there is nobody left on that list to sign. Baseball America hasn’t revealed a signing bonus for any of them, which likely indicates most of them cost as much as building a new deck.  Any bonus that is $10,000 or lower does not count against a team’s bonus pool.

The Yankees entered the day with $5,440,000 to spend. That money is for the entire year. Hence, if they want to hand out a big bonus on December 15th, that comes from this bonus pool. That’s possible, as the Yankees used leftover funds to sign Stiven Marinez in 2024.

They used money acquired in the Carlos Narvaez trade to complete that transaction.  They originally stored away money to make a run at Roki Sasaki.

If someone like Sasaki became available later this year, the Yankees may have a lot of cash to throw at him. Barring that, they will probably look for prospects like Marinez to give their money to.

In other words, it isn’t a lost cause, but let’s be clear: This wasn’t part of the plan, and it adds weight to the rumor that the Yankees uncovered international misconduct, leading to departmental firings.

Additionally, don’t think the Yankees did this because they are cheap. It’s $5 million spread out to many prospects. It’s an insignificant part of the Yankees’ budget.

Bottom Line:

It’s an awful look for everyone involved, and there’s simply no defending it, no matter how well Asigen performs in the future.

Indeed, low-cost signings often outperform their high-priced counterparts.  That’s not the point of this, however.

2. Carlos Lagrange is a Top 10 RHP

Speaking of cheap signings outshining their expensive counterparts…

While Elmer Rodriguez wasn’t included in the top ten released by Pipeline, Lagrange came in at #10. He signed for $10,000 once-upon-a-time.

One thing you’ll notice about most prospect lists is their heavy emphasis on the word ‘upside.’

I don’t begrudge that, but many prospects who would never make one of these lists become more productive MLB players.

Lagrange gets there because he is a big kid who is touching 103 MPH with his fastball. Additionally, he has a four-pitch mix (fastball, slider, cutter, change). If he refines his offerings, he has legitimate ace potential. Not all pitchers can put every piece together, but we are allowed to dream.

If he eventually can’t start, the ability is there for him to be an elite-level closer.

The Yankees didn’t land a prospect on the Top 10 list for left-handed pitchers and catchers. All other positions haven’t been released yet. You may expect to see George Lombard Jr. on the list, but be mindful that shortstop is a cluttered position. Many players who will eventually move away from the position haven’t done so yet and will be in the shortstop pool. For example, on the final 2025 Top 100 list, Lombard Jr. was ranked 25th. By my quick count, 11 players listed as a shortstop or an all-encompassing infielder were ranked higher.

Bottom Line:

These lists are more for entertainment than anything, but seeing Lagrange earn a write-up was nice to see.

3. The Red Sox sign Ranger Suarez (5 years, $130M)

In the first half of 2025, Suarez looked like a Cy Young Award candidate. At the All-Star Break, he owned a 2.15 ERA in 13 starts (83.2 innings) with a 78/22 K/BB and 1.064 WHIP. The second half wasn’t so kind, as he pitched to a 4.40 ERA in 13 starts (73.2 innings) with a 73/16 K/BB and 1.398 WHIP. When examining his profile, one can argue that he overachieved the metrics in the first half and underachieved them in the second half, meaning his overall 3.20 ERA (3.21 FIP) in 157.1 innings represents his true performance.

The Red Sox rotation includes Garrett Crochet, Suarez, Sonny Gray, Brayan Bello, and Johan Oviedo. Depth options include veterans Kutter Crawford (coming off wrist surgery), Pablo Sandoval (coming off elbow surgery in 2024), and Kyle Harrison (acquired from the Giants in the Rafael Devers trade). Youngsters include left-handers Payton Tolle and Connelly Early. Early pitched decently early on in Game 3 against the Yankees last year, only to be outshined by Cam Schlittler. Tolle recorded one out in Game 2.

Bottom Line:

The early-season rotation for the Yankees includes some combination of Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Ryan Weathers, Will Warren, Luis Gil, Ryan Yarbrough, and Paul Blackburn. The Yankees also have some youth, with Elmer Rodriguez likely the most ready to contribute.

To start the season, it’s hard to argue against the Red Sox having a better rotation. Does the equation change if Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon come back healthy? Yes.

There’s speculation that the Yankees remain interested in Freddy Peralta. I won’t back down on my position that we can’t rely on Cole, Rodon, or (eventually) Clarke Schmidt until I see them making rehab starts.

4. The Kyle Tucker Sweepstakes

It appears the decision is coming down to three teams: the Mets (offering 3-4 years with a high AAV), the Blue Jays (reportedly proposing a long-term deal with undisclosed monetary value), and the Dodgers (with no definitive reports yet).

The Yankees reportedly have little, if any, interest and remain focused on Cody Bellinger.

That’s likely a mistake, but it is what it is. Players should take as much time as needed to secure the best possible contract.

That doesn’t make the process any less painful for the fans. I want both outfielders to sign as soon as possible so that we know where the Yankees stand.

Bottom Line:

Tucker going to the Blue Jays, which is the likely scenario, would be a disaster. The Mets are less of a disaster, but would send Yankees’ fans into a tizzy.

5. Looking at some transactions

Earlier this month, the Cubs announced the signing of old friend Tyler Austin to a minor league contract. Today, they claimed Ben Cowles off waivers from the White Sox. It’s been a journey for Cowles, who was acquired by the Cubs for Mark Leiter Jr. He was designated for assignment, picked up by the White Sox, designated for assignment again, and picked up by the Cubs. This happens often with fringe prospects who have earned their way onto a 40-man roster. Sometimes, the endgame is the player clearing waivers entirely and being outrighted to the minors.

Austin hasn’t played in MLB since 2019, where he hit .187/.293/.407 in 174 plate appearances with the Twins, Giants, and Marlins. He played in Japan from 2020 through 2025.  He is best known for hitting a home run in his first MLB at-bat (Aaron Judge followed it with a home run in his first at-bat) and charging the mound against the Red Sox.

Bottom Line:

I needed a fifth entry. Austin was old news that I forgot to comment on at the time.