Breaking: New York Yankees Right fielder shocks fans by departing after heated rift with GM Aaron Bo….See more

Ahead of what looks to be a hectic offseason, the New York Yankees have been discreetly strengthening the back end of their squad. The Yankees decided to cut Tim Mayza and Jon Berti after last Friday’s non-tender deadline, saving over $8 million in compensation. As they seek to address important areas of need, the greater budgetary flexibility allows for more renovations.

Returning on a One-Year Contract, Grisham
The Yankees decided to keep outfielder Trent Grisham, a past Gold Glove winner, among other choices. They signed him to a one-year, $5 million contract to avoid arbitration. As the Yankees get ready for any roster adjustments, Grisham offers defensive stability and important outfield depth.

The Yankees are risking their money on JT Brubaker.
The Yankees made another surprise move by bringing back right-handed reliever JT Brubaker, age 31. Brubaker hasn’t played in Major League Baseball since 2022 due to injuries that have ruined his career in recent years. He pitched 144 innings with a 4.69 ERA for the Pittsburgh Pirates that season. He was mostly a starter, but he will probably play as a long reliever with the Yankees.

Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Images is credited.
Brubaker only played 16.2 innings in the Yankees’ minor league system in 2023. He pitched 6.2 innings at Triple-A during this time, recording a 4.05 ERA. The Yankees saw potential in his repertoire, which consists of a sinker, slider, and curveball as his main offerings, despite his minimal activity.

Examining Brubaker’s Arsenal in More Detail
The pitch that Brubaker employed the most while he was with the Pirates was his sinker, which averaged 93 mph. It showed potential for improvement in 2022, allowing a.283 batting average and a.434 slugging rate. But Matt Blake and the Yankees’ pitching development staff probably see unrealised potential. The pitch has good horizontal mobility currently, and it might be a more potent weapon with some tweaks.

Another interesting tool in Brubaker’s toolbox is the slider. It produced a 34.3-inch vertical drop in 2022, suggesting that it might be a swing-and-miss pitch. Brubaker might develop into a useful depth addition to the bullpen if the Yankees can improve its movement and match it well with his sinker.

Taking Care of the Bullpen Void
Brubaker won’t be sufficient to make up the innings lost due to Clay Holmes and Tommy Kahnle’s exits, even if the Yankees are renowned for discovering diamonds in the rough. In high-leverage situations, Holmes, the team’s save leader from the previous season, and Kahnle, a dependable veteran, leave big holes.

In order to strengthen the bullpen, general manager Brian Cashman is anticipated to target an established relief arm. Although the Yankees have had success producing pitchers in-house, their bullpen’s efficacy will depend on adding a seasoned closer or setup man.

Final Thoughts by Mark J. Rebilas of USA TODAY Sports
The Yankees’ recent actions make it apparent that they want to restructure the roster while keeping their financial options open. They have freed up resources to undertake more significant enhancements by not tendering Berti and Mayza. Brubaker is a low-risk, high-reward choice in their continuous hunt for bullpen reinforcements, and Grisham’s return gives defensive depth.

The Yankees are probably far from done with this offseason, as there is still a lot of work to be done. Now, the emphasis is on acquiring high-leverage weapons and adding the kind of significant players that will guarantee their continued competitiveness in the American League.