Miami Marlins v Washington Nationals / Mitchell Layton/GettyImages
The Yankees let a wave of minor-league free agents loose this past weekend, then took a step towards replenishing their Triple-A reserves.
And while you might be inclined to shrug off this particular move — and history may end up being on your side — just recall that you probably did the same with Luke Weaver’s guarantee last winter, and he just closed out a trip to the World Series.
On Saturday, the Yankees announced the signing of left-hander Brandon Leibrandt, who’d been sent into free agency and outrighted off the Reds’ 40-man roster a few weeks prior.
Terry Francona may not have cared for the crafty lefty, but the Yankees decidedly lacked impact left-handers in the bullpen this past summer, taking a way-too-long flyer on Tim Mayza and carrying him through the entire postseason. Liebrandt may not light up the radar gun, but his changeup likely has Matt Blake thinking a little deeper ahead of spring training.
Yankees sign left-hander Brandon Leibrandt, formerly of the Reds
Leibrandt’s latest look with the Reds came after he dominated with the High Point Rockers in unaffiliated ball, posting a 2.70 ERA in 80 innings the past two years.
While his heater won’t open any currently-closed eyes, his changeup tunnels nicely with the offering, logging the third-highest whiff rate of any minor-league change thrown in parks with Statcast tracking this summer. And if that won’t get your juices flowing, we don’t know what will!
Bottom line? Leibrandt is a pure flyer and, yes, is the youngest son of former MLB pitcher Charlie Leibrandt, well known for his time with the Braves. The former sixth-round pick of the Philadelphia Phillies will have some work to do to turn himself into a valued commodity with the big-league Yankees, but a preseason rejuvenation could have him in line to make spot starts, much the way Cody Poteet and his baffling slow stuff did last season.
Leibrandt does have a career minor-league ERA of 3.66 in a substantial sample of 641 2/3 innings. Don’t say we didn’t warn you about his change when Blake’s making him the next Lucas Luetge (traded for Caleb Durbin after being maximized, for what it’s worth).
News
Troubling Photo Surfaces Of Randy Moss Following His Depressing Health Announcement
Randy Moss (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) Randy Moss has the entire sports world on edge about his health. The Hall of Fame wide receiver and current ESPN analyst did something he never does as he revealed at the start of…
VIDEO: Newest Footage From Highmark Stadium Has Fans Wondering How On Earth The Buffalo Bills Can Host SNF Game vs. 49ers
Highmark Stadium (Photos via @NFL/X) Fans on social media are wondering how the Buffalo Bills will be able to host a football game at Highmark Stadium this Sunday following heavy snowfall at Orchard Park over the weekend. The Bills appear to be…
REPORT: Jacksonville Jaguars Give Sad Injury Update On QB Trevor Lawrence After He Was KO’d On The Field
Trevor Lawrence (Photo via Getty Images)) On Sunday, the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Houston Texans in an AFC South showbowl between the first- and last-place teams. For the first time since November 3, quarterback Trevor Lawrence saw the field. Unfortunately, his time in the…
Concussion Doctor Gives Frightening Update On Trevor Lawrence After Jaguars QB Was Knocked Out Cold vs. Texans
Trevor Lawrence (Photo via CBS) A brawl erupted in Jacksonville after Texans linebacker Aziz Al-Shaair delivered a late, brutal hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence that knocked him unconscious. Al-Shaair made hard contact with Lawrence’s head and neck area as he was…
VIDEO: Cameras Caught Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair Getting Dragged Off Field By Security After Getting Into Altercation With Fans & Trying To Fight The Entire Jaguars Team
Azeez Al-Shaair (Photos via Fox) Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair will most likely catch a rightful suspension from the league after what he did to Trevor Lawrence. Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence was carted off the field on Sunday after taking a hit…
Buffalo Bills Announce Postponement Of Special Event At Highmark Stadium Ahead Of SNF Game vs. 49ers
Highmark Stadium in the snow. (Photo via @ChrisWTOL/Twitter) The Buffalo Bills have announced that their ‘Sunday Night Lights’ drone show, initially scheduled for halftime during this Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, has been postponed. This comes as a result of the…
End of content
No more pages to load