The Yankees have agreed to a minors pact with southpaw Luis Avilan, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter). He’ll participate in big league camp.
It may seem like he has been around for quite a while, but Avilan is still just 30 years of age. He has found his way to the majors in each of the past seven seasons, appearing with five different organizations.
Last year, Avilan struggled to a 5.06 ERA in 32 frames with the Mets. He recorded 8.4 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9, right in line with his career averages, but allowed quite a few more long balls (1.4 per nine) than he has over the course of his career (0.5 per nine).
Avilan was as good against lefties as he was unplayable against righties in 2019, carrying a whopping 677-point OPS platoon spread. He has typically dominated same-handed hitters (.203/.280/.283) while finding things tougher without the platoon advantage (.259/.340/.374), though not to that extreme.
fair-critic
non-factor.
AllRiseForTheJudge
Oh look another troll with an idiotic comment. Tell me, what crystal ball do you have that you know how he’ll perform before he does?
Shut up.
thorshair
Thank u comment police
realgone2
Ah so it’s ok to troll non Yankees posts like AllRiseForTheJudge does, but don’t disparage his beloved Yankees. What a complete tool bag.
robluca21
@allrise ….but replying all you do us fuel the fire and encouraging more people to troll
AllRiseForTheJudge
Good low-risk signing. If he makes the team out of camp and can pitch like he did with the Dodgers in 2017, or even the Phillies in 2018, he’ll be a solid lefty out of the pen to take some of the load off Britton.
bjhaas1977
Good signing! I wanted him back with the Mets.
BlueSkyLA
Avilan has always been marginal. Even in seasons where his numbers overall looked serviceable they mask a lack of consistency.
Larmando
I think he have been a good pitcher , if he retire today , he can tell his grandkids that he had a good career in the big leagues
whyhayzee
This is a highly suspicious move.
toomuchpie
*yawn*
Just_a_thought
No doubt, next thing you know he’ll be the Yankees starting 3B and hit 35 home runs this year.
MoRivera 1999
Urshela hit a grand total of 21 HR’s, on juiced balls no less. What’s that, like 15 HR’s in a normal year? Calm down. Stop with the unfounded Yankee hate hyperbole.
Darryl Rose
It’s not Yankee hate. I’m a Yankees fan and thought it was amusing.
Darryl Rose
It’s not Yankee hate. I’m a Yankees fan and thought it was amusing.
MoRivera 1999
Sounds like a conspiracy theory.
Russianblue35
The veteran version of Stephen Tarpley. If he can’t get right handers out he is useless being there is that new 3 batter rule.
ExileInLA 2
Maybe we need a new term. Instead of LOOGY, maybe THOLO – third out lefty only?
melkor77
There is no such thing as a ‘bad’ minor-league signing, regardless of which team does it.
nymetsking
I’ll counter with Tebow.
YankeesBleacherCreature
He sells minor league game tickets.
Old User Name
He also sells jerseys.
melkor77
Hehehe
Mick1956
Tebow does draw fans and they sell his stuff too. Kind of like our Russell Wilson, only probably not as athletic. Good signing for minor leagues, no real impact either, but can step in with injuries if needed.
people forget
People forget he was the GCL Braves pitcher of the month for August when he had a 2.93 ERA in three starts.