Yankees Claim Jeter Downs Off Waivers

Yankees Claim Jeter Downs Off Waivers

Jeter Downs is now on the other side of baseball’s greatest rivalry. The Yankees claimed the 25-year old, named after the legendary shortstop, off waivers earlier today. This now confirms that two of the main pieces from the Mookie Betts blockbuster will be in the Bronx Bombers’ system rather than the Red Sox.

Of course, I am referring to the infamous Alex Verdugo trade earlier this month. The infielder only has one major league home run to his name. Could you guess what ballpark it was in and the pitcher it was against?

Jeter Downs was named by his parents after Derek Jeter in Colombia in 1998.

He hit his first major league home run at Yankee Stadium.

Of course, he’s now a Yankee. pic.twitter.com/dpYyqjteTm

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) December 19, 2023

Downs most recently played for the Nationals in 2023. All he got was five at-bats in six games. To say he has been a disappointment is a major understatement. He had the chance for playing time in DC but he downright sucked in the minor leagues; a .222/.363/.356 split at any level won’t get you very far. I am not really sure what Brian Cashman is thinking here because I would much rather have Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza as platoon options.

Sure, there is some uncertainty at the infield corners with DJ LeMahieu and Anthony Rizzo on the wrong side of 30, but are we sure Downs can develop into a long-term successor at first or third base? I’d love to be proven wrong, but there’s probably a better chance I win the lottery here.

Betts Did Not Pay Off:

The waiver claim is yet another reminder that the Mookie Betts trade did not pan out well for the Red Sox. Yes, of course, it had to happen, but Connor Wong is the only remaining player from that deal.

He is their starting catcher, but that’s not saying much. Whether it’s the weight of expectations, the colder Northeast climates or other factors, you can see how baseball trades are so complicated. I am sure that the San Diego Padres are hoping their return from the Juan Soto blockbuster will contribute much more for down the road.

In an offseason that is starting to heat up, the Yankees made a bit of a head-scratcher. They picked up Jeter Downs off waivers from the Nationals.

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