Back in 2021, the Chicago Cubs signed Michael Arias to a minor league deal. He was formerly a shortstop in the Toronto Blue Jays farm system, signing in 2018, but with an arm that could reach triple digits off the mound, he made the switch to pitcher in 2021. Throughout his development with the Cubs, he developed a knack for one of two results: a strikeout or a walk.
Due to an insane ability to punch batters out, Chicago granted him a 40-man roster spot prior to the 2024 season, thus protecting him from the Rule-5 draft. However, he never pitched in the big leagues and he became a roster casualty when the team signed Colin Rea to a MLB deal last offseason, in which he was then subsequently traded to the New York Yankees for cash.
Arias remained on the Yankees 40-man roster throughout all of 2025, but pitched just 29.2 innings in the minor leagues. While he did post a 2.73 ERA and 36 strikeouts, New York elected to non-tender him earlier in November. Despite being a free agent, Arias then re-signed on a minor league deal.
Former Chicago Cubs flamethrower Michael Arias was improbably retained by the New York Yankees following a non-tender
MLB: Chicago Cubs Workouts
Staying with an organization after being non-tendered isn’t unheard of, but it isn’t particularly common either. In Arias’ case, the decision had more to do with his availability than his cost, as he has yet to reach arbitration and has not made his Major League debut, but rather he was taking up a valuable spot on the 40-man roster.
For the Yankees to re-sign him, this is a major win. Any organization would welcome an arm as electric as his, especially on a minor league deal. Whether he valued the instruction and feedback he received from New York’s coaching staff or saw a clearer path to finally reaching the big leagues, the decision to return is great for the Yankees. Still, it’s hard to imagine that several other teams weren’t interested during his brief stint in free agency.
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