The Yankees have added another bullpen/swing option for 2024, acquiring RHP Cody Morris from the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for OF Estevan Florial.
Morris, 27, posted allowed six earned runs in eight innings (a 6.75 ERA) in six outings with the Guardians last year, but had a combined 3.23 ERA in 39 innings (four starts/17 relief outings) between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus, with 45 strikeouts in those 39 innings. Over two MLB seasons with Cleveland, Morris has a 3.41 ERA and 32 K against 18 BB in 31 2/3 innings over 13 appearances (five starts).
Morris was a seventh-round pick in 2018 and was added to their 40-man roster after the 2021 season, but he missed the first five months of 2022 due to a shoulder strain, and then 2 ½ months of 2023 with a back strain before being assigned to the minors.
The Yankees will have five full seasons of team control and two minor-league options on Morris.
Florial, 26, was an international free agent signing in 2015 and made his MLB debut in 2020 as a Yankee. Over parts of four seasons in the Majors, he hit .209 (24-for-115) with one home run, 11 RBI, 12 runs scored, 15 walks, and six stolen bases in 48 games.
He spent most of last year in Triple-A after making the opening day roster and then being designated for assignment the next day, and he hit .284 with 28 home runs, 79 RBI, 23 doubles, 83 runs scored, 66 walks, and 25 steals.
Florial is out of minor-league options and must be put on waivers if he does not make Cleveland’s 26-man roster, but with just 118 days of MLB service time accrued, the Guardians will have six years of team control if he stays in the Majors.