Yankees appoint Clint Frazier, Roughned Odour and Tyler Wade for assignment as part of roster restructuring

NS New York Yankees announced on friday night which they assigned for midfield duty Clint Frazier and infielders Raw smell and Tyler Wade, removing slots on the 40-player roster as part of a larger change. (The Yankees also trade on the right Nick Nelson and the catcher Donny Sands come Philadelphia Phillies for a few minor jumpers.)

Frazier, 27, is perhaps the most surprising victim of the Yankees’ roster crisis. Not so long ago, he appeared as if he could become a fixture in the midst of New York’s order. Indeed, in 108 mid-season games of 2019-20, he clocked in at .267 / .347 / .497 (126 OPS+) with 20 home runs. Alas, Frazier had a miserable 2021 season, hitting 76 OPS+ while injury limited him to just 66 appearances. Frazier is expected to earn $2.4 million through the arbitration process, as estimated by MLB Trade Rumors.

Smell, obtained from Texas Rangers for a pair of prospects in early April, and Wade is part of New York’s inner-field depth chart. Odour has had his moments with the Yankees, but not nearly enough to justify continuing to include him on the roster. He hit .202/.286/.379 (82 OPS+) in 102 games. Wade, meanwhile, hit .268 / .354 / .323 (90 OPS+) over the course of 103 games, improving his career OPS+ to 66.

The Yankees used those openings to protect the quarterback Oswaldo Cabrera, midfielder Everson Pereira, right-handed pitchers Ron Marinaccio and Stephen Ridings, and left-handed pitcher JP Sears from Draft Rule 5. Major League Baseball’s deadline for adding pre-winter Draft Rule 5 prospects passed at 6 p.m. ET.

Of course, staying away from many of the members of the Yankees’ depth of field chart would serve an additional purpose, as it would further fuel speculation that the team plans to sign one of its natural staffing shortfalls. leading do – could be Carlos Correa, Corey Seager, or someone else.