With the New York Yankees in dire necessity of an open spot on the 40-man roster, an unexpected move was executed.
The New York Yankees have unconditionally released outfield prospect, Slade Heathcott.It was not the first time they have done this, as the 25-year old was released by the Yankees back in December of 2014. This time, however, Chad Jennings reports that the team has no plan to bring him back aboard.
The move was made in order to make room for left-handed Richard Bleier, who was brought to the Bronx prior to today’s contest.
Some of you may be asking: “why didn’t the Yankees just designate him for assignment?” Well, if they chose that route they would place him on waivers with the opportunity for another organization to come and swipe him.
This unconditional release makes re-signing him more accessible for the Yankees but if we take Jennings’ report as the truth, it does not matter.
And since we’re being truthful here, don’t be down on the release of a young and athletic outfielder as the Yankees have plenty of capable players with an identical skill set.
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Ben Gamel made his Bronx debut this year, Dustin Fowler is emerging as one of the top prospects in the organization, and Mason Williams is on his way back from a shoulder injury. Plus, it’s not like Heathcott was separating himself from the crowd.
Heathcott was participating in a DL stint after sustaining a knee injury. Prior to then, he owned a slash line of .218/.260/.287 in 23 games at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre here in 2016.
Last year, he had a cup of coffee with the big league club and came up with one of the biggest home runs of the season against the Tampa Bay Rays (above).
It seems as though Heathcott will get an opportunity to take his injury ridden career elsewhere with the hopes that someone will take the man who leads all Yankees’ first round picks from 2007-15 in career WAR.
The Kid has bright future, but it won’t be on the big stage of New York.
