Yankees add former Red Sox outfielder after dominant spring training
By Scott Rogust
The New York Yankees seemingly addressed their need in the outfield by signing a former Boston Red Sox player who crushed it in spring training.
MLB Opening Day is on Thursday, and the New York Yankees are looking to make a return to the World Series after getting swept in last year’s ALCS by the Houston Astros. They did re-sign Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo, while bringing in starting pitcher Carlos Rodon and relief pitcher Tommy Kahnle. But the team never had the chance to address their need for outfield help.
On the day before the Yankees take on the San Francisco Giants, the team have made an addition, and it is a former Boston Red Sox outfielder.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Yankees signed Franchy Cordero to a major league, split contract. If in the majors, Cordero will make $1 million. But if he were to be in the minors, he would make $180,000.
Outfielder Franchy Cordero and the New York Yankees are in agreement on a major league contract, sources tell ESPN. It’s a split deal that will pay $1 million in the big leagues and $180,000 in the minors. Barring another move, Cordero would be on the Yankees’ Opening Day roster.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 29, 2023
Yankees sign former Red Sox outfielder Franchy Cordero
Cordero played for the Red Sox for two seasons, after he was acquired by the Kansas City Royals in the Andrew Benintendi trade. In those two years, he split time between Boston and Triple-A Worcester.
This past season, Cordero played in just 84 games, where he recorded a .219 batting average, a .300 on-base percentage, a .397 slugging percentage, eight home runs, 29 RBI, 36 runs scored, and 53 hits. Cordero was non-tendered after the 2022 season and became a free agent.
Cordero signed with the Baltimore Orioles on a minor league contract, and he put up very solid numbers at the plate with the AL East team. In 18 games played, Cordero slashed .413/.426/.674 while recording two home runs, nine RBI, nine runs scored, and 19 hits. The Orioles released him from his contract on Monday.
The Yankees outfield depth took a hit with center fielder Harrison Bader dealing with an oblique injury, and is not going to be ready for Opening Day. So with a starting outfield likely consisting of Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Aaron Hicks, the Yankees bring in Cordero as a likely option off the bench.
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