The Yankees’ trial with Roansy Contreras was brief, as the 25-year-old right-handed reliever was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles on Friday afternoon. New York had just acquired Contreras, a familiar figure in the organization, but his erratic performance made him dispensable when the team needed to free up roster space.
Contreras’ Rollercoaster Career
Contreras has displayed glimpses of promise over the years but has struggled to put everything together at the major league level. In 2024, he pitched 68.1 innings for both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Angels, recording a 4.35 ERA. This marks his third consecutive season with at least 68.1 innings pitched and an ERA no lower than 3.79, a pattern that underscores his difficulties with command and consistency.
Contreras’ main issues have been walks and home runs, two major concerns for any reliever looking for stability in a bullpen. The Yankees were probably hoping to develop him into a successful asset, aiming to tap into his potential, but the Orioles seized the opportunity before they had the chance.
Yankees Outright Allan Winans
Along with losing Contreras, the Yankees also removed right-handed pitcher Allan Winans from the major league roster, sending him to their Triple-A affiliate. However, he will still participate in spring training as a non-roster invitee, providing him an opportunity to showcase his skills.
Winans, 29, faced significant struggles in limited MLB appearances with the Atlanta Braves last season, posting a tough 15.26 ERA in just 7.2 innings. However, his Triple-A performance tells a different story—he threw 114.2 innings with a 3.30 ERA, demonstrating his ability to handle top-tier competition in the minors.
The Yankees likely see potential in Winans due to his capacity to log innings and keep runs at bay in Triple-A. Whether that can translate into a meaningful role with the major league team remains to be seen, but he adds valuable depth as spring training approaches.
What It Means for the Yankees
Losing Contreras doesn’t significantly affect the Yankees’ bullpen plans, as his role was far from certain. He was more of a low-risk, high-upside option rather than a key component of their pitching staff. On the other hand, keeping Winans as a non-roster invitee provides them with another arm to assess during spring training.
