After a weekend of rumors, the Yankees and Justin Wilson have reportedly reunited:
Yankees deal with Justin Wilson is done. Rejoins Yankees, pitched for them in 2015.
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) February 15, 2021
Wilson, a 33 year-old lefty, gets around $4 million this year on what may be a multi-year pact.
The Yankees initially acquired Wilson entering the 2015 season. He came over from the Pirates in a deal that sent Francisco Cervelli to Pittsburgh. Wilson did a really nice job out of the Yankees’ bullpen in 2015. He recorded a 3.10 ERA and 2.69 FIP in 61 frames, but was sent packing that offseason to Detroit in a deal that netted the Yankees Chad Green and Luis Cessa.
Wilson has remained a solid reliever since his first stint in the Bronx. Most recently, he’s spent the last two seasons across town with the Mets. While there, he recorded a 2.91 ERA and 3.62 FIP in 58.2 innings. He still throws hard, relying primarily on his four-seamer (94.9 MPH) and cutter (90.1 MPH). He also mixes in a slider on occasion.
The Yankees have a full 40-man roster so a roster spot will need to be cleared for Wilson. The Yankees may just wait until spring training officially starts so they can open a spot by placing Luis Severino on the 60-day injured list.
dasit
i remember freaking out over the wilson trade
“what is cashman doing??? who the hell are green and cessa???”
baseball fans are silly
Mungo
Nice addition. He can fill the role left vacant when Kahnle went down early in the 2020 season. Wilson really is someone that teams should pay a premium to as he can handle the role of the lefty killer, but he’s also quite effective against righties. There’s really no platoon split. That’s critical in a game that now has a three-batter minimum.
Wilson’s signing does seem to end Gardner’s career with the team. Too bad. Looks like Bruce/Allen will combine to fill the Gardner role. The name to watch: Socrates Brito. He could be this year’s Yankee when sometime in June fans are asking, “where did this guy come from?!”
Tyler Prime
This pretty much closes the door on a Gardner reunion. Thanks for the mems, Gardy! Hopefully the OFs stay healthy and don’t make the FO regret it.