The Yankees’ stint 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 reacquired Contreras, who was previously part of their organization, but his inconsistency made him expendable when they needed to free up a roster spot.
Contreras’ Rollercoaster Career
Contreras has shown glimpses of promise throughout his career but has yet to find sustained success at the major league level. In 2024, he logged 68.1 innings between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Angels, finishing with a 4.35 ERA. This marks his third consecutive season of at least 68.1 innings without an ERA below 3.79, underscoring his ongoing struggles with command and consistency.
His biggest obstacles have been walks and home runs—two significant concerns for any reliever seeking reliability in a bullpen role. The Yankees likely saw him as a reclamation project, aiming to refine his arsenal, but the Orioles moved quickly to claim him before New York could make any adjustments.
Yankees Outright Allan Winans
Along with losing Contreras, the Yankees removed right-handed pitcher Allan Winans from their major league roster, outrighting him to their Triple-A affiliate. Despite this move, he will still participate in spring training as a non-roster invitee, giving him an opportunity to earn a spot.
Winans, 29, struggled in limited MLB action with the Atlanta Braves last season, posting a rough 15.26 ERA over just 7.2 innings. However, he fared much better in Triple-A, where he logged 114.2 innings with a solid 3.30 ERA, proving he can compete at a high level in the minors.
The Yankees likely see value in Winans’ ability to eat innings and limit runs in Triple-A. Whether that translates to a role in the majors remains uncertain, but he adds depth as spring training nears.
What It Means for the Yankees
The Yankees’ bullpen plans remain largely unaffected by the loss of Contreras, as his role was never guaranteed. He was more of a low-risk, high-upside option rather than a key piece 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.
New York has been proactive in reshaping its pitching staff this offseason, and while Contreras could find success in Baltimore, the Yankees had no hesitation in moving on. With ample time before Opening Day, they may still make further adjustments to solidify their bullpen for 2025.
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