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Yankees on the 40-Man Roster Who Are Expendable

By Aaron Dortch

Jun 14, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Hicks (31) during batting practice prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Hicks (31) during batting practice prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 29, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher J.R. Graham (62) pitches in the eighth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Target Field. The Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Minnesota Twins 10-4. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher J.R. Graham (62) pitches in the eighth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Target Field. The Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Minnesota Twins 10-4. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

Pitcher – J.R. Graham

Graham hasn’t seen a major-league mound since May 4.

The right-hander spent 1.2 innings with the Minnesota Twins, gave up three hits, one walk and two earned runs, and was immediately optioned to Triple-A Rochester.

In 8.1 innings with the Triple-A team, Graham was battered for 10 runs and subsequently DFA’ed. A week later, in perhaps the most-missed transaction of the season, the Yankees sent cash to Minnesota in exchange for Graham and stashed him in Double-A Trenton.

The 26 year old has both started and relieved in his career, but the Yankees have exclusively been giving him work out of the bullpen in the hopes he’d develop quicker. Plus, it’s no secret that middle relief is where the team’s Achilles heel is at the major league level.

From his descent down the ladder this year, Graham has a 10.80 ERA at the majors and a combined 4.60 ERA between Rochester and Trenton.

His 2015 numbers with the Twins sing the same sad song: 4.95 ERA, 1.476 WHIP, 7.5 K/9 in 63.2 innings. In other words, there aren’t really any indications that the reliever is worth an extended look, and he wouldn’t need to be replaced by another 40-man candidate because he’s a boat load of injuries away from reaching The Bigs.

The Yankees have enough bullpen failures clogging up the roster, so they definitely don’t need one struggling in the minors, also.

Hey, speaking of bad relievers…

Next: Swinger-Friendly Swarzak

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