The New York Yankees have made several minor transactions in the past few days and weeks.
These are almost always designed to improve organizational depth, which is already important, but some of them have the potential to become contributors at some point.
Among the players New York has recently added on the cheap are Jake Cousins, J.T. Brubaker, McKinley Moore, Nick Burdi, Cody Poteet, Clayton Andrews, and Cody Morris.
Burdi is proof that these players can have a spot on the roster should they show enough in camp, in the minors, or in showcases.
We can go ahead and add another name to the list: right-handed pitcher Phil Bickford, according to Conor Foley of YES Network.
Yankees have signed RHP Phil Bickford to a minor league agreement, RailRiders announce.
Former first round pick of the SF Giants. Pitched for the Dodgers and the Mets last year. Mets released him after spring training. Four seam, slider guy.
— Conor Foley (@ConorFoleyYES) April 2, 2024
Bickford didn’t make the New York Mets Opening Day roster and was designated for assignment on March 23.
He was then released three days later.
The Mets needed a spot to add J.D. Martinez to the 40-man roster, and Bickford was the cut.
Even though he had a 5.79 spring ERA, the 28-year-old was solid otherwise with a 1.07 WHIP, and a 7/0 K/BB in 4.2 innings with the Mets.
Since posting a strong 2.50 ERA with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2021 (in 50.1 innings), he hasn’t been able to replicate that success.
His 2022 ERA was 4.72, and it was 4.95 last year.
Overall, he has made 178 relief appearances in MLB over the last three years between the Milwaukee Brewers, the Dodgers, and the Mets.
He brings experience to the table, and a good depth arm should injuries strike for the Yankees.
New York is 5-0 at the moment, but is always looking at cheap ways to build strong internal competition.
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