The New York Yankees aren’t traditionally known for unearthing diamonds in the rough or nurturing forgotten talents, but general manager Brian Cashman could be trying to redefine the Pinstripes Way in 2024. His most recent free agent signing intends to be a part of that endeavor.
According to YES Network’s Jack Curry, the Yankees have signed bullpen pitcher and former highly ranked prospect Nick Burdi to a minor league contract. The agreement calls for the right-hander to be invited to Spring Training, where he will begin his MLB redemption tour.
Burdi, a second-round pick by the Minnesota Twins in 2014, last played for the Chicago Cubs in 2023 but has struggled, evident in his career 9.39 ERA across a limited 19-game span. Considering New York’s history of constructing strong bullpens, it could be an advantageous landing spot for a reliever seeking more opportunities to contribute.
Approaching 31 years old, Burdi faces uncertainty regarding his chances of securing a consistent spot on an MLB roster. While he displayed potential earlier in his career, particularly during his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he struggled to maintain effective control over the strike zone. The Yankees’ farm system, known for its analytics-driven approach, has faced criticism recently. Observing how Burdi, a former standout from Louisville Cardinals, adapts and performs within this system during his time in the minors will be intriguing.
But perhaps Nick Burdi can skip that detour entirely. When New York resumes Spring Training in 2024, he will be entering probably the most significant period of his professional baseball career.
While everyone enjoys a good comeback story, Yankees fans will inevitably return to the much-anticipated free agency decision of pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
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