Yankees News: NYY lose speedster to Mets, Aaron Hicks, Cameron Maybin

First, the New York Mets stole reliever Stephen Ridings out from under the Yankees’ noses. Then, they sign former Yankee fireman David Robertson. Now, they use a minor-league deal on pinch-runner extraordinaire Tim Locastro? Where does it end?!

Here. It probably ends, uh, right about here. And thanks very much, Mr. Cohen, for staying away during the whole Aaron Judge contract negotiation. Really appreciate it. We’ll leave you be.

Locastro was in roster limbo last offseason, too, bolting to the Red Sox only to lose his spot in a shuffle and end up back in the Bronx.

This time, it’s the Mets who’ve offered him a life raft after a 38-game stint as the Yankees’ fifth outfielder and designated pinch runner whenever they had a bench spot to offer him.

Per Pat Ragazzo, Locastro has an invite to Spring Training this year with the Amazins, where he’ll probably have a green light whenever he gets on first.

Mets sign former Yankees speedster Tim Locastro

Locastro, an upstate New York native (shoutout Auburn, NY) and Ithaca College baseball alum, was a beloved short-term Yankee, playing in nine games in 2021, mostly while the rest of the team was stricken by COVID around the All-Star break.

Unfortunately, his tenure was cut shorter than anticipated when he tore his ACL making a spectacular catch in the left-field corner. Shades of Dustin Fowler.

His recovery was swift, however, and after the Red Sox tried and failed to pry him loose and protect him during the next offseason, the Yankees wound up securing his services once again for 2022. Prior to a lat injury suffered in early May, it seemed Locastro might actually stick in the Bronx; ultimately, he hit .186 in 38 games, socked a pair of homers, and went 8-for-10 in stolen base attempts this past season.

Yankees fans wish Locastro luck in Flushing, secure in the knowledge that they’ll probably be able to find a new designated burner by the time the postseason roster crunch arrives once again (although, without endless roster expansion in Sept. these days, it’s a harder gig to dole out if the bat isn’t viable).

Hopefully, we’ve seen the last of Cohen picking pieces off the Yankees’ 40-man.

More Yankees News:

• Apparently, Aaron Hicks’ days in New York are not numbered (or, if they are, that number is “infinity.” According to Joel Sherman, Chris Kirschner and, well … everybody, the team is now pivoting towards internal options, and it seems likely New York’s offseason is, by and large, over. It’s really Bryan Reynolds or bust, at this point, meaning Hicks and Oswaldo Cabrera are still very much in play.
• Tommy Kahnle spoke to Kirschner this week, and revealed that he did turn down more money from the Red Sox to rejoin the Yankees. Tommy Kahnle: Redefining “Class.”
• Cameron Maybin is OUT of the YES Network broadcast booth for 2023. Even worse? He reportedly wanted to return, telling the New York Post, ““I definitely wanted to come back.” Rumor has it he’s still in consideration for a studio role, and will remain with MLB Network and on Cubs broadcasts.

MLB News:

• Tragically, White Sox closer Liam Hendriks announced he’s battling Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The team has said not to expect an update until Opening Day, at the very earliest.
• Steve Cohen told a Mets YouTuber to expect a resolution on Carlos Correa shortly, in one direction or the other. While that doesn’t read optimistically, most still expect the Mets to find common ground, despite recent rumored overtures from other teams (Twins? Red Sox?).

5 Yankees on 40-man roster who won’t last all of 2023

These New York Yankees players on the 40-man roster might not make it through all of 2023. Some might not make it before Opening Day!