Yankees: 3 players who definitely won’t be back in 2022

2. Andrew Heaney

Another trade acquisition (why?) in Andrew Heaney has almost a 0%. chance of returning to the Bronx, and the man he was traded for (Janson Junk) is already making an impact with the Los Angeles Angels.

Usually, the Yankees would remain stubborn in their ways and hang on to a struggling player just to prove to the naysayers that they were actually right, for a short period of time, about a guy actually being able to play baseball. Got us! Great validation for ya.

If they do that with Heaney, then we really know this is the aspect of the organization that’s fully gone rogue … because there is no role for him on this team, or probably any team.

He was optioned at the end of the regular season and then designated for assignment right before the AL Wild Card Game. What’s the use for a guy who owned a 7.32 ERA in 12 games and allowed an unthinkable 13 homers in 35.2 innings? He does get batters to whiff, but he also tosses batting practice-esque stuff most of the time. It’s not sustainable. Matt Blake’s advice did bubkus. Is what it is.

Throw all the advanced stats at me as you want. We did that dance with Chad Green, too. When someone gives up hard contact, it’s a liability. When they don’t have the alternate numbers to make you feel better about surrendering hard contact, it’s not a fit.

To make matters easier, Heaney is a free agent. That’s the end of the story. If the Yankees are serious about contending, they won’t bring back Heaney to take up a valuable spot in the rotation or get shelled coming out of the bullpen. How about just fill the roster with competitive talent, instead of Brooks Kriske? Didn’t we learn from that?