On the day of the All-MLB awards, the New York Yankees made a move that might fly under the radar but could prove beneficial down the line. While fans may have hoped for bigger moves, the reality is that the Yankees’ front office, led by Brian Cashman, is likely preparing for a longer, more strategic approach—especially with Scott Boras and Juan Soto dominating the free-agent market.
In the meantime, the Yankees continue to explore low-risk, high-reward moves. On Thursday, they signed former Mets prospect Jordany Ventura to a minor-league contract. Ventura, a right-hander, was waived by the Mets after injuries limited his ability to reach his potential. However, the Yankees are known for taking chances on pitchers like Ventura, especially considering his promising shift to a relief role in 2024.
Ventura, who can hit 96 MPH on his fastball, showed flashes of effectiveness last season, striking out 55 batters in 48 2/3 innings. What stands out the most is his ability to limit hard contact, an area where the Yankees’ bullpen struggled in 2024. His impressive 6.9 H/9 and 0.5 HR/9 are noteworthy stats that suggest he could be a solid addition to the Yankees’ bullpen, especially given their need for more reliable arms.
A product of the Mets’ system, Ventura made his debut in 2018 after signing an international free-agent deal. However, his journey has been riddled with setbacks, including a lost year due to the pandemic and a Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for the entire 2021 season. In total, he has appeared in 69 professional games, with only five coming at Double-A—the highest level he’s reached.
At 24 years old, Ventura still has a long way to go before he can secure a spot on the Yankees’ 40-man roster, but his solid performance to end 2024 might give him an edge. And as for the Mets, if they think they can poach one of the Yankees’ pitching coaches, good luck. With Matt Blake running the show in the Bronx, the best way to get back at New York’s rivals might be for Blake to unlock Ventura’s potential in a way the Mets never could.
