When the New York Yankees opted to retain Trent Grisham’s moderately hefty salary and rework his deal into only a modest pay dip, it seemed like they might be willing to carry a few financial burdens past the non-tender deadline. That assumption was … not correct.
Later in the evening, they announced that they intend to cut costs at the margins, reportedly non-tendering valuable utility man and playoff starting first baseman (seriously) Jon Berti.
Berti was acquired just before Opening Day of the 2024 season, and was unable to establish himself as a scrappy force off the bench, succumbing to a significant calf strain that kept him out from late May to early September.
He played his role to perfection during the early portions of the postseason, though, going 2-for-7 in the ALDS victory over the Royals and playing a smooth first base, thanks in large part to Anthony Rizzo’s tutelage.
Ultimately, though, the Yankees decided that carrying Berti — whose season ended before the World Series when a hip flexor issue materialized — wasn’t worth it at his estimated cost, given their middle infield bench depth of Oswald Peraza, Oswaldo Cabrera, and Gleyber Torres.
That estimated cost? $3.8 million. Too rich for their current blood.
The New York Yankees have non-tendered infielder Jon Berti, according to a source familiar with the situation.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) November 23, 2024
Yankees News: Yankees non-tender utility man Jon Berti ahead of Friday deadline
Tim Mayza, the left-hander who received roster spots in all three playoff rounds in October, was also cut loose.
Of course, there’s also the flip side of that “infield depth” discussion. Gleyber Torres is moving on to greener pastures, in all likelihood. The starting second base job is currently open, though it was always more likely to go to an import (or Durbin?) than Berti anyhow.
Still, it’s not as if the Yankees’ depth chart at the position has a clear topper, and Berti can also play third and, quite remarkably, first.
There’s plenty of offseason left, but if the Yankees didn’t believe it was worthwhile to pay a sturdy veteran presence $3.8 million to stem the tide, then what else aren’t they willing to pay for? The Mayza move will also save approximately $4 million, a no-brainer.
We know this is a lot of ink spilled on a 34-year-old who’s reliant on his speed, but it’s still worth noting that this is an interesting cost to cut, though not a shocking one.
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