Yankees offseason news, free agency analysis by Pete Caldera, Anthony McCarron
Pete Caldera, Yankees beat writer for The Record and NorthJersey.com, and SNY’s Anthony McCarron discuss potential Yankees moves this winter.
NEW YORK – Mark Leiter Jr.’s somewhat turbulent Yankees tenure has reached an end.
On Friday, the Yankees non-tendered the Toms River, N.J., right-handed reliever instead of paying him roughly $3 million in 2026 as an arbitration-eligible player.
The son of former big-league pitcher Mark Leiter and nephew of Al Leiter, the ex-Mets and Yankees starter, Mark Leiter Jr. is now a free agent.
Additionally, the Yankees non-tendered right-handers Ian Hamilton, Scott Effross, Jake Cousins and minor leaguer Michael Arias.
Also on Friday, the Yankees agreed to one-year contracts with starter Clarke Schmidt and infielder Oswaldo Cabrera, avoiding arbitration.
Non-tendering Leiter and his fellow relievers was not an unexpected development, as the Yankees are upgrading their bullpen and seeking some cost relief where they can.
Earlier this offseason, the Yankees declined the $5 million option on talented but oft-injured reliever Jonathan Loaisiga, making him a free agent.
As the Yanks’ bullpen is currently structured, David Bednar is the closer, with Camilo Doval and Fernando Cruz in key setup roles, along with veteran lefty Tim Hill.
Right-handers Luke Weaver and Devin Williams are free agents that the Yankees might seek to replace with less expensive options on the trade and free-agent markets.
Acquired from the Chicago Cubs at the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline, Leiter appeared in 80 games as a Yankee and posted a 4.89 ERA with an 8-8 record and two saves.
This year, Leiter missed one month due to a left leg stress fracture. Leiter returned in early August but posted a 5.79 ERA over his final 18 games in a diminished role.
Leiter, 34, did not pitch this postseason; he made the AL Wild Card Series roster against Boston but was replaced by starter Luis Gil for the AL Division Series against Toronto.
Left off the playoff roster in 2024, Leiter replaced the injured Ian Hamilton during the ALCS and pitched effectively through the World Series, appearing in four games against the Dodgers without yielding a run.
Armed with a signature splitter, Leiter posted a career-best 33.6 percent strikeout rate in 2024, but that figure dropped to 24.7 in 2025.