The New York Yankees can’t deal for any major league player due to the MLB lockout imposed on December 1, 2021, when the players and owners couldn’t agree on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement that halted all major league transactions. But that doesn’t mean the Yankees have been sitting on their hands during the period.
The Yankees have been able to make moves on minor league players that are not on a 40 man roster. They, to date, have made several acquisitions to the minor league Yankee teams, some with major league readiness, while others will start the season in the lower affiliates.
They also have been active on the international front when international signings started on January 15th. So far, according to Baseball America, they have acquired several shortstop prospects, including Roderick Arias, Luis Suarez, and Xabier Marte.
To add to the possible shortstops, they added Abraham Ramirez, a utility player who plays in both the infield and outfield. They signed a deal with catchers Diomedes Hernández and Enyer Ureña Enyer, and RHP Enmanuel Tejeda.
The group’s prize is Roderick Arias, the aspiring shortstop that has been named the number one prospect on the international market. The Yankees signed him to a $3.5 million contract. Arias is a switch-hitting Dominican native that is just 17 years old. He has tremendous assets with his excellent arm and range at short. He also has an explosive bat. The Yankees have Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe in the wings that might showcase them in the majors at sometime this or next season. Now they have a great backup should neither of those fail to prosper.
Not to be overlooked Luis Suarez, and Xabier Marte, both shortstops, will also be in the mix that could show them advancing in the low minors this season.
The Yankees have been successful in the international market before, signing Jasson Dominguez in 2019. At nearly 19, he hit one home run in every ten games with two Tampa teams. He is a monster at the plate that is still developing. He is an outfielder that is also from the Dominican Republic. Some of the other successful international signings the Yankees have made include Bernie Williams, Orlando Hernandez, Robinson Cano, Hideki Matsui, and of course, the best closer in baseball Mariano Rivera.
The New York Yankees still have much to do when postseason 2.0 starts when the sides reach a new agreement. They still have to decide where who will play and what they will do to acquire or not acquire a stopgap shortstop. Also, high on the list will be replacing Cory Kluber, who is now with the Rays. The Yankees will need that one-two punch with a new starting pitcher. Although still far apart, one has to assume that the two sides in the negotiation should be getting closer to an agreement as spring training is just a month away.