Yankees sign low-cost reliever, Danny Coulombe to minor league deal

The Yankees signed their second affordable left-handed relief pitcher this offseason — and this time it’s Danny Coulombe, who made 27 appearances for Oakland last season.

We know that the Yankees remain in the market for at least one relief pitcher this winter. However, it appears their laser focus on Manny Machado, is getting in the way of signing one of the remaining top-flight available relievers.

Although it was initially reported that the Yanks held some level of interest in a reunion with Andrew Miller, Andy Martino of SNY says that the Bombers never extended a contract offer to the 34-year-old, citing “durability concerns.”

Therefore, Miller took his talents to St. Louis on a two-year, $25 million deal with a $12M vesting option in 2021, to become the Cards’ closer.

After throwing just 34 innings in 2018, including a stint on the 60-day DL, Miller’s return to the Bronx would have been romantic but taken them out of the running for Zach Britton.

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While it remains to be seen if the Yanks will shell out more money than the Phillies, Astros or Red Sox for Britton, George King of the New York Post believes that Boston will soon bow-out on another former Yankee, David Robertson.

"According to a person with knowledge of the situation, the Red Sox believe David Robertson isn’t likely to sign with them. Boston was very interested in the former Yankees reliever and current free agent, who many believe is looking for a three-year deal with clubs wanting to keep it at two. The Phillies have also shown an interest in Robertson, who prefers to remain in the Northeast. The Yankees also are looking for two relievers."

So rather than putting the pedal to the metal on a reliable relief option such as D-Rob or Adam Ottavino, the Yankees inked 29-year-old Danny Coulombe to a minor league contract. This, on the heels of signing fellow low-cost lefty, Rex Brothers, who pitched one game for the Braves in 2018.

As for Coulombe, who like Brothers, received an invite to Spring Training, threw 23.2 innings last season, going 1-1 with a 4.56 ERA, 1.479 WHIP and 26:11 K:BB ratio across 27 appearances.

Though his 9.1 H/9, 1.9 HR/9 and 4.2 BB/9 leave much to be desired, Coulombe’s three-year cumulative stats with the A’s are much more intriguing and hopefully indicative as to the type of pitcher he truly is.

During that span, the five-year veteran has worked a 8.7 K/9, an uber-impressive 57.6 groundball rate and held left-handed hitters to a .233/.298/.333 slash line in 234 plate appearances.

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Depending on whom the Yankees sign this winter to solidify the bullpen, Coulombe, the left-handed specialist, with his stellar breaking ball (2,466 rpm spin rate), has a slight chance to make the 25-man roster.

The reason I call him a “specialist” is because of just how poor he’s pitched over his career to right-handed batters: .245/.339/.455.

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