The New York Yankees have signed outfielder Franchy Cordero to a one-year, major league contract. Cordero, previously with the Boston Red Sox, joined the Yankees just 24 hours prior to Opening Day. The move affects the team roster, as Cordero will be on the Opening Day roster and potential candidate Estevan Florial may be released.
Cordero’s Split Deal and Performance
Cordero’s split deal will pay him $1 million at the MLB level and $180K in the minors. Although his defense is subpar and his bat has only displayed few flashes of power and potential, he dominated during Spring Training this year and last year. During six seasons in major league baseball, Cordero has never seen more than 275 plate appearances in a season.
Cordero’s Impact on Florial’s Position
Estevan Florial was considered a potential candidate for the final 26-man roster, but the acquisition of Cordero has created skepticism about Florial’s position. Both ZiPS and Steamer projects Cordero to hit better than Florial by about 20 points of wRC+. However, Florial is a stronger defender compared to Cordero.
Lack of Legitimate Center Fielder
The Yankees currently do not have a legitimate center fielder on their roster, even in a bench role. Cordero’s signing is likely insurance against a possible injury in the current outfield rotation.
Red Sox Loss in Benintendi Trade
Cordero was part of the return in Boston’s dealing of Andrew Benintendi to the Kansas City Royals in 2021. Cordero’s performance in Boston was not satisfactory, hitting .209 with a .629 OPS and 72 OPS+ in 132 games. The deal shows how badly the Red Sox lost in the Benintendi trade, as Cordero is no longer with the team.
Walk-Off Grand Slam and Injury
While with the Red Sox, Cordero hit a walk-off grand slam in May 2021. However, he suffered a season-ending ankle sprain in September 2021 and was cut loose by the Red Sox in November due to his projected salary being too high.
In conclusion, Cordero’s signing to the New York Yankees has created a buzz among fans and analysts alike. With his split deal and potential impact on Florial’s position, it remains to be seen how he will perform with the team. Regardless, his acquisition highlights the ongoing rivalry between the Yankees and Red Sox, as well as the unpredictability of the MLB offseason.
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