New York Yankees Add RHP Anthony Swarzak to Bullpen Mix

Out with the old and in with the new.

When the New York Yankees traded away key bullpen pieces like Adam Warren and Justin Wilson earlier in the off-season we knew their bullpen was in for a makeover.

Since than, the Yankees have added Kirby Yates, Tyler Olson, Vinnie Pestano and of course, the newly appointed closer Aroldis Chapman.

Related Story: New York Yankees Sign Vinnie Pestano to Minor League Deal

Well, on Wednesday evening the Yankees added yet another pitcher to their bullpen mix when they signed Anthony Swarzak to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. The signing was first reported by Jon Heyman of CBS Sports;

Swarzak, 30, began the 2015 season with the Cleveland Indians, tossing a 3.38 ERA in 13.1 innings before being designated for assignment and sent to Triple-A in May. Instead of reporting to the Columbus Clippers, Swarzak took his talents to the Korea Baseball Organization and signed with Doosan Bears to finish out the season. Overseas he pitched primarily as a starter and posted a 5.26 ERA with 72 strikeouts in 92.1 innings.

Prior to 2015, the Fort Lauderdale, FL native spent the past five seasons with the Minnesota Twins, who originally drafted him in the second round of the 2004 MLB Draft.

Combined, the 6-foot-4 Swarzak owns a 16-24 record with a 4.45 ERA and a 5.4 K/9 through his six year major league career. He spent some time as a starter in ‘The City of 10,000 Lakes’, posting a 2.91 ERA in 96 innings for the Twins in 2013.

In my opinion, the Yankees are signing Swarzak in hopes that he can turn back the clock and be a serviceable reliever out of their pen. After all, in 2006, Swarzak was ranked among Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospects list before making his debut in May 2009.

Next: Yankees Acquire Ronald Torreyes and Tyler Olson

The right-hander will compete with a plethora of bullpen pitchers in spring training to try and earn a spot with the big league club, including the likes of Tyler Olson, Kirby Yates, Vinnie Pestano, James Pazos, Jacob Lindgren, Chasen Shreve and Bryan Mitchell just to name a few.

If Swarzak makes the MLB Roster out of spring training he’ll earn $750,000.