Yankees' Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz: Traded to Pinstripes
Rotowire
The Red Sox traded Rodriguez-Cruz to the Yankees on Wednesday in exchange for Carlos Narvaez, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Over 20 games (19 starts) between Single-A and High-A in 2024, Rodriguez-Cruz turned in a 2.84 ERA and 1.19 WHIP alongside a 99:39 K:BB over 85.2 innings. The 21-year-old right-hander will likely remain in High-A with his new organization and have his sights set on a promotion to Double-A Somerset.
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Yankees' Jonathan Loaisiga: Returning to Yankees
Rotowire
Loaisiga (elbow) signed a one-year contract with the Yankees on Wednesday, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.
Loaisiga's new deal also includes a team option for the 2026 season. The 30-year-old reliever made three appearances for New York last season, throwing four scoreless innings while striking out three batters and walking one, but his year was cut short by a torn UCL in early April. The surgery he received to repair his elbow wasn't a full Tommy John procedure, so his return timeline is a few months shorter than it could've been, but it's still unlikely Loaisiga is ready to return to the Yankees' bullpen by Opening Day.
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Yankees' Max Fried: Joins reigning AL champs
Rotowire
Fried agreed to a eight year, $218 million contract with Yankees on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
After coming up short on re-signing Juan Soto, the Yankees set their sights on the best remaining left-handed starter on the market. The deal is pending a physical, but Passan notes it's the largest guarantee in baseball history for a southpaw. There are no deferrals nor opt-outs in the contract, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. Fried ends his Atlanta career with a 3.07 ERA in 168 appearances (151 starts). In his eighth and final season with the team in 2024, the 30-year-old posted a 3.08 ERA across 29 starts.
Yankees' Jasson Dominguez: Set for significant role in CF
Rotowire
Dominguez appears set to take over in center field for the Yankees in 2025, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
Dominguez has a "clear lane" to take over in center field for New York, with Aaron Judge expected to move back to right field in 2025, according to general manager Brian Cashman. Cashman said of Dominguez that the team "obviously believe he has a very high ceiling, and he's healthy." The 21-year-old appeared in 18 games with the Yankees in the 2024 regular season, producing a .179 average with two home runs, four RBI, eight runs scored and five stolen bases over 56 at-bats. Dominguez did compile a much more impressive .309 average with seven long-balls, 25 RBI, 33 runs scored and 15 stolen bases over 44 contests with Triple-A Wilkes-Barre last season.
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Yankees' Aaron Judge: Likely moving back to right field
Rotowire
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Monday that it "makes sense" for Judge to move back to right field next season, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
Judge shifted to center field in 2024 to accommodate Juan Soto, but with Soto headed to the Mets, Judge can now man his more familiar right field position. Manager Aaron Boone mentioned Jasson Dominguez as the leading candidate to start in center field in 2025, although Dominguez could play left field if the Yankees acquire a center fielder.
