New York certainly has been busy this offseason. The Yankees won just 82 games last season and have made a plethora of moves this offseason to make sure that doesn’t happen again in 2024.
The Yankees have made some massive moves — like trading for superstar slugger Juan Soto — but also have made some depth signings. New York struggled with depth last season due to a handful of injuries and has been looking to improve this offseason.
New York reportedly signed former Chicago Cubs pitcher Nick Burdi to a minor league deal earlier this offseason, but it wasn’t made official until Monday, according to the Minor League Baseball Transaction Log.
Burdi is an intriguing pickup for New York. He may not have a massive role with New York in 2024, but he does add more much-needed depth. He has only appeared in 19 total games at the big league level across four seasons, but has plenty of professional experience in the minor leagues, as well.
The 30-year-old appeared in nine games with Chicago last season and allowed three earned runs across three innings pitched. He was much more steady in the minor leagues in a larger sample size. Burdi appeared in 21 games with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs and logged a 3.20 ERA and 33-to-14 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 19 2/3 innings pitched.
Burdi is a veteran with big-league experience who has shown flashes at the minor-league level. If he could shine in Spring Training, maybe he could make the club’s Opening Day roster. If not, he will start the season in the minors and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him eventually get called up if he can impress.