The Yankees recently picked up outfielder Michael Siani off waivers from the Dodgers. Los Angeles let him go to create room for Kyle Tucker. In turn, New York has designated right-hander Kaleb Ort for assignment to make space for Siani.
Siani, 26, is known for his speed and defensive skills. Over 160 big league games in the past four seasons, he has stolen 21 bases. He has spent over 1,000 innings in the outfield and has positive defensive metrics, like seven Defensive Runs Saved and 17 Outs Above Average.
However, his batting performance raises some eyebrows. In 383 plate appearances in the majors, he has a low .221 average and a walk rate of just 6.3%. His batting average is below league average, with a wRC+ of just 58, indicating he has struggled offensively.
Despite his offensive challenges, Siani still holds value for teams. He was previously claimed by the Cardinals and then by the Dodgers before landing with the Yankees. If he were to clear waivers unclaimed, he could serve as non-roster depth, suggesting many teams are eager to have him on board.
The Yankees have a solid outfield setup with Trent Grisham, Cody Bellinger, and Aaron Judge in place, alongside Giancarlo Stanton as designated hitter. Other players like Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones are in the mix, but their playing time may be limited. Both young hitters have options and could be sent down to the minors. Additionally, there’s speculation about potential trades involving them.
Siani’s future with the Yankees hinges on how the team’s roster evolves. Another player, Marco Luciano, was also claimed recently and is in a similar situation, although he has no options left.
Kaleb Ort, at 34, was just brought in from the Astros but now finds himself on the chopping block. He has strong velocity, but his performance hasn’t been consistent at the major league level, allowing five earned runs per nine innings across 122 innings pitched. With a strikeout rate of 23.7% but a walk rate of 10.5%, his reliability remains questionable.
In summary, Siani’s and Ort’s roles will depend on how the Yankees manage their roster in the coming weeks, with both players facing uncertain futures. As the team prepares for the season, these moves reflect common strategies used in major league baseball to refine competitive rosters.
For those interested in a deeper understanding of player transactions and their impacts, a recent MLB report provides insights into how teams navigate these challenges throughout the season.
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