Inside The Pinstripes

Yankees Bolster Catching Depth, Add Promising Bullpen Arm

The New York Yankees signed former White Sox reliever Jimmy Cordero and catchers David Freitas and Rodolfo Duran to minor league contracts this offseason.

Pat Ragazzo

In this story:

While all has been relatively quiet on the Yankees’ front during the first month of the lockout, they did make a few moves recently to bolster their minor league depth.

After re-signing catcher Rob Brantly on a minor league deal earlier in the month, the Yankees added two more catching options to their system in David Freitas and Rodolfo Duran.

Freitas, 32, has not appeared in the big leagues since 2019 with the Brewers and his career-high for regular season games played in the majors is just 36. Freitas played in Korea last year, before joining the Tampa Bay Rays’ Triple-A affiliate. In 16 games, Freitas slashed .245/.364/.434 in Triple-A in 2021.

READ: Former Yankees Finding New Homes Overseas

As for Duran, 23, he was signed by the Phillies as an international free agent back in 2014 and completed his 2021 campaign with their Triple-A team. According to The New York Post, Duran’s bat has shown some pop, and his arm is strong behind the plate. He is expected to begin next season with Double-A Somerset.

Beyond solidifying their minor league catching depth, the Yankees also signed a bullpen piece in right-handed pitcher Jimmy Cordero. New York landed Cordero on a minor league contract, as the 30-year-old is coming off Tommy John surgery from last March.

Cordero showed promise in 2019, posting a 2.89 ERA, 0.991 WHIP and 161 ERA+ for the Blue Jays and White Sox. Cordero allowed a mere 12 earned runs and four home runs across 37.1 innings.

The veteran righty endured a rough 2020 COVID-shortened campaign, and later underwent surgery to repair his UCL in the following offseason. Before suffering this elbow injury, Cordero’s fastball velocity sat in the upper-90s.

The Yankees bought low on Cordero, but if he can bounce back from TJ surgery, the reliever could wind up being a nice surprise in the bullpen in 2022.

MORE:

Follow Pat Ragazzo on Twitter (@ragazzoreport). Be sure to bookmark Inside The Pinstripes and check back daily for news, analysis and more.

Published
Pat Ragazzo
PAT RAGAZZO

Pat Ragazzo is the reporter, publisher, site manager and executive editor for Sports Illustrated's Mets and Yankees On SI websites. Pat was selected as The Top Reporter & Publisher of the Year 2024 by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) for outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to the industry. He has been seen on several major TV Network stations including: NBC4, CBS2, FOX5, PIX11 and NY1; and is frequently heard on ESPN New York FM 880 AM and WFAN Sports Radio 101.9 FM as a guest. Pat also serves as the Mets insider for the "Allow Me 2 Be Frank" podcast hosted by Frank "The Tank" Fleming of Barstool Sports. You can follow him on Twitter/X: @ragazzoreport.

Home/News