Veteran right-hander Ernesto Frieri has exercised the opt-out clause in his minor league deal with the Yankees, reports Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports (on Twitter). The decision to opt out seems to be a last-minute change in direction, as the Post’s Joel Sherman reported late yesterday afternoon that Frieri had not yet triggered the clause.
Set to turn 32 next month, Frieri has enjoyed a solid season with New York’s Triple-A affiliate thus far, pitching to a 3.00 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 21 innings of work. Frieri’s nine walks and 33.3 percent ground-ball rate aren’t eye-catching numbers, but even in his peak seasons from 2010-13, he was a fly-ball pitcher that struggled with his control at times.
Frieri sat out the 2016 campaign entirely, with the exception of playing some winter ball, and he struggled through both the 2014 and 2015 seasons in the Majors. However, the former Angels closer did notch 60 saves from 2012-13, and his aforementioned four-year peak stretch included a 2.79 earned run average with 313 strikeouts in just 229 1/3 innings.
Given his history of missing bats and solid efforts thus far in Triple-A, Frieri could latch on as a low-cost flyer with any number of bullpen-needy teams around the league. Speculatively speaking, the Nationals, Tigers, Twins, Rangers and Mets are among the many clubs that could be on the hunt for relief help.
noraj9
In before “Braves.”
seckert15
Really? As bad as the bullpen has been they don’t give this guy a shot? How many times do we have to watch Mitchell get rocked?
Eileenyy9
omg, you are so right on!!
metseventually
@mets
JP8
Yeah he could easily beat out Chapman, betances, clippard, warren, shreve or green. 32 years old isn’t what NYY wants
seckert15
No, outs are what the Yankees want. And unfortunately they have been hard to come by for the bullpen lately. I don’t care if he is 60. If he can get outs he can help!
thegreatcerealfamine
I hope to God this is your attempt at humor!
morgannyy 2
He’s not on the 40 man roster, so there’s that to deal with …
costergaard2
and that’s probably the real answer. NYY now has a good system and MLB is not going to let anyone off the 40 without putting in a claim. The Padres 3 rule 5 guys confirm this. Good call Morgan = )
rangerfan23
Rangers need to get this guy or anyone. That bullpen is awful
top jimmy
The Mets should be all over this guy.
costergaard2
I agree, what do they have to lose ?
vinscully16
Frieri looked good in the WBC. I think he’s still got something to offer and, if the Yanks don’t agree, good move opting out.
Macho King OG
Regardless Mitchell and Layne need to go to Scranton.
kiwimlbfan
Am I missing something with Layne? Why do they keep him around?
HalElliott
He’s left handed.
ctguy
Mitchell was sent down 2 days ago
seckert15
Mitchell is gone. Layne should be the next to go. Yankee fans have been hearing about how great Mitchell is for 4 years now and guess what? We are still waiting.
And there has to be a better lefty on the scrap heap than Layne. The bullpen needs to keep the in games
costergaard2
meanwhile, everyone is freaking out. NYY is in 1st, 11 games over .500 and have so far handled Machado and Bautista, two Yankees killers. Deep breaths, NYY fans = )