3 minor-league signings Yankees should’ve made during MLB Lockout

2. Brad Peacock

Though suitors might’ve been turned off by an underwhelming showing with the Boston Red Sox in 2021, that might’ve only increased our love for Brad Peacock. Thanks for the tank job, sir!

Kidding. We think.

Regardless, vision might’ve been clouded by Peacock’s brutal 2021, featuring a 15.19 ERA in just 5.1 innings pitched for Boston. Despite those nasty optics, the right-hander is just two years removed from being a key cog on the 2019 American League champion Houston Astros, posting a 4.12 mark in 91.2 innings pitched. Consider his two previous years (3.46 ERA in 65 innings, 3.00 ERA in 132 innings as a huge part of the 2017 World Champs), and you’ve got a recently valuable arm available for just a flyer.

That explains why the Royals swiped him up on Tuesday, March 8, likely hoping for a bit of a rebound so they can promote Peacock and utilize him as a trade deadline asset. A small-market, middling team like KC — who should be better this season after promoting Bobby Witt Jr. and Co. — is a completely sane destination for Peacock. He’s looking for a bounce back out of the spotlight, and KC’s looking to flip him.

But the Yankees need innings, and anywhere they can potentially add 80-90 league-average ones is an avenue that should be explored. They had three months to sweep up Peacock, and Matt Blake never gave the head nod. Maybe that means something.