The New York Yankees seemingly made a conscious effort to add outfield depth in December.
According to the official transactions log of Major League Baseball, the Yankees signed three outfielders to minor-league contracts in December. It’s unlikely the moves were designed to protect against the loss of Cody Bellinger, but some other minor-leaguers had already departed, and behind standout prospect Spencer Jones, the outfield wasn’t one of the strengths of the farm system.
These signings also often hit the transactions log a couple of weeks after they occur, and that was the case with 24-year-old DJ Gladney, who Newsweek Sports learned had signed with the Yankees on Thursday evening.
Gladney, who elected free agency in November, spent six seasons in the Chicago White Sox system. He was a 16th-round pick out of high school in Illinois who has played 124 games at the Double-A level, but has yet to reach Triple-A.
The Yankees probably liked Gladney’s versatility, as he has played all three outfield positions consistently and even some first base in the minors. He’s not much of a speedster, but he’s shown flashes of power, hitting double-digit home runs in each of his last four seasons.
Though Gladney had some decent offensive numbers in years past, this last year was a rough one. His .645 OPS at Double-A was his worst in a sample of 100 or more games at any level, and may have caused the White Sox to allow him to walk once he was eligible for free agency.
Gladney isn’t likely to enter the mix for major league playing time as a Yankee this year, but if he impresses in his organizational debut, the Yankees will likely do what they can to ensure he avoids free agency next winter.
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