The New York Yankees have designated utility infielder Ronald Torreyes for assignment. The versatile Venezuelan was dropped from the team's 40-man roster in favor of pitcher Parker Bridwell who was claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels.
After being key player on the Yankees bench in 2016 and 2017, Torreyes was limited to 41 games in 2018 but managed to bat .280. For his efforts, Torreyes was buried in Scranton-Wilkes Barre.
Dumping Torreyes represents everything that is wrong with the Yankees philosophy. The Yankees can hit all the home runs, but without people to move the line and without bench depth there will be no World Series parade up Broadway anytime soon. Torreyes was the closest thing the Yankees had to Brock Holt. That would be the Brock Holt who hit for the cycle against the Yankees in the ALDS.
Not that I care about the Yankees. I'm all for their shortsightedness especially if it means World Series parades down Boylston Street. But I do think the diminutive Torreyes is getting the short end of the stick. Torreyes belongs on a big league roster. The problem is that he has already passed through seven big league organizations (Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels and the Yankees - twice). The Yankees have treated him no differently than any of the other organizations he has passed through. I'm sure the Red Sox would take a flier on him if they didn't already have Holt. Why can't big league organizations see Torreyes' value? For God's sake, somebody at least invite him to spring training.
UPDATE: The Cubs have acquired Torreyes from the Yankees in exchange for cash or a player to be named later. Torreyes was previously in the Cubs' organization during the 2012 and 2013 seasons before being sent to the Astros' organization midway through 2013. Somehow I think Joe Maddon will find a place for him to play. Probably several.
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