The Yankees made a roster-clearing move ahead of Friday night's non-tender deadline, trading INF/OF Jake Bauers to the Brewers for two minor-league outfielders, Jace Avina and Brian Sanchez.
Bauers slashed .202/.279/.413 with 12 home runs, 30 RBI, 27 BB, 28 runs, and 15 doubles in 84 games for the Yankees last season after signing as a minor-league free agent in Dec. 2022. The 28-year-old made at least 20 appearances at three different positions, playing left field, right field, and first base, and twice serving as the DH.
He was slated to hit salary arbitration for the first time this winter, and MLB Trade Rumors' usually-close arbitration projection pegged him to earn $1.7 million next season.
The Yankees' release on the two newcomers:
Avina, 20, has hit .249 (136-for-547) with 101R, 34 doubles, 5 triples, 29HR, 104RBI, 83BB and 14SB in 163 games over two minor league seasons in the Milwaukee Brewers organization (2022-23). In 2023, the right-handed batter hit .233 (76-for-326) with 57R, 22 doubles, 2 triples, 14HR, 50RBI, 56BB and 10SB in 99 games with Single-A Carolina. The Reno, Nev., native was originally selected by the Brewers in the 14th round of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft.
Sánchez, 19, made his professional debut in 2023, hitting .297/.414/.446 (30-for-101) with 20R, 7 doubles, 4 triples, 19RBI, 20BB and 8SB in 33 games with the DSL Brewers 1. The Cumanacoa, Venezuela, native was originally signed by the Milwaukee Brewers as a non-drafted free agent on February 7, 2023.