Yankees make underwhelming minor-league transaction and add to boring offseason

Did you need more evidence that the New York Yankees were going to “run it back” for the 2022 season? Then look no further than their latest transaction!

It’s not a real transaction, no. It’s of the minor-league variety because there’s no movement on the Major League front until further notice with the lockout depriving us of anything and everything, including the Winter Meetings, which would’ve taken place this week.

But we kid. We don’t mean to take away from the return of catcher Rob Brantly, but the Yankees did this to themselves. They made one offseason move, didn’t fill a major hole, and tendered a contract to every player who was eligible.

Naturally, any more news of the Yankees bringing back the casts from the 2020 and 2021 shows inherently kills the mood. Brings you down. Call us crazy, but that’s just the general feeling surrounding Bomber baseball at the moment.

Anyway, give a warm re-welcome to Brantly! He’ll be stashed at Triple-A and will come up when an expected Gary Sanchez injury occurs, or if a COVID-19 situation thins the team’s catching depth.

Brantly appeared in six games with the Yankees in 2021 and hit .150 with a .390 OPS in 20 at-bats.

The #Yankees have re-signed Rob Brantly to a minor league contract. That will give them a LH bat and catching depth at AAA.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 10, 2021

Catcher Rob Brantly is back with the New York Yankees.

Brantly also played one game at first base during a real life baseball version of the Great Depression at that position for the Yankees in 2021. Remember Jay Bruce? He started there on Opening Day. Then came Luke Voit, who was on and off the field at various points because of injuries. Mike Ford played 22 games. Chris Gittens played 16 games. Disaster.

Nonetheless, the 32-year-old Brantly provided a great presence at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, hitting .289 with an .835 OPS across 68 games. All this does is ensure the status quo for the catching position in 2022, barring a last-second change of heart when the lockout is lifted.

The Yankees made two selections in today’s Minor League Rule 5 Draft, taking RHP Steven Jennings in the first round from Pittsburgh’s High-A roster and RHP Manny Ramírez in the second round from Houston’s Low-A roster.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) December 8, 2021

As for the other minor-league moves? They’re right up there for you to look at. The Yankees took two players in the minor-league portion of the Rule 5 Draft. The Red Sox stole another pitcher from New York. Wheeee.

Just get us a new collective bargaining agreement, please.

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Catcher Rob Brantly is back with the New York Yankees.

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