The Yankees have announced that they are looking for an outfielder Michael Siani without compromising on the Dodgers. Los Angeles designated him for assignment earlier this week to clear a roster spot Kyle Tucker. New York is designated as the right hand Caleb Ort with the share as a parallel movement of Siani.
Siani, 26, is a speedy and defensive outfielder. In his 160 major league games over the past four seasons, he has stolen 21 bases in 26 attempts. He has pitched 1,014 innings on the grass, spanning all three outfield positions. He was credited with seven Defensive Runs Saved and 17 Outs Above Average.
His offensive numbers aren’t that impressive. In 383 big plate appearances, he drew just 6.3% of the walks while striking out at a 27.9% clip. He has a .221/.277/.270 line, which translates to a 58 wRC+, which is 42% worse than the overall league average. In the minors, he did more with the bat, but not with the wide mag. Over the past three years, he has taken a measly 938 plate appearances with a 14% walk rate, a 24% strikeout rate, a .217/.329/.337 line and a 77 wRC+.
It’s clear he loves big league clubs, despite the lifeless bat. He finished 2025 with the Cardinals. This offseason, he has gone to Atlanta, the Dodgers and now the Yankees for waiver claims. If he were to go through unclaimed waivers, he would be kept as a raw player, so maybe all these clubs were trying to be a beneficiary there.
That means the Yankees may have him back on the phone in the coming weeks. For now, you’re giving them a potential bench player. He also has an option remaining and could be sent to Triple-A while holding onto his 40-man roster spot.
The Yankees lost Trent Grisham again Cody Bellinger in free agency at the end of the 2025 season but have both re-signed. These two together Aaron is the judge there should be three areas of the field in question, with Giancarlo Stanton in the selected calling area.
Jason DomÃnguez again Spencer Jones They’re also in the mix but they don’t have any good ways to play time right now. Both have options and can be sent to children. Both have been subject to trade speculation since Bellinger’s re-signing, though the Yanks may want to hold onto them as injury protection. Grisham is also scheduled to return to free agency after 2026, so he may want to maintain depth until then.
Siani’s role with the team will depend on how that all goes and will depend on him staying in his place on the roster. Marco Luciano he’s in the same spot, as he was claimed off waivers again this week, though he’s out of options.
Ort, who turns 34 in February, was claimed off waivers by the Astros a few weeks ago. He has upper 90s velocity but has yet to translate that into solid big league results. He has thrown 122 1/3 innings over the past five seasons, allowing five earned runs in nine. His 23.7% strikeout rate is good but he has walked 10.5% of the batters he has faced.
He’s out of options, leaving him firmly entrenched in a roster spot. Houston hit him earlier this month and the Yanks picked him up. It’s possible the Yankees plan to bring Ort back to the fold at some point, as he would stick as undrafted depth if he clears waivers. DFA limbo can last at least a week. The withdrawal process takes 48 hours. The Yanks can wait five days before sending him back but could start the process earlier if they choose.
Photo courtesy of Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images
