The Yankees announced Tuesday that they’ve designated left-hander Andrew Heaney and right-hander Brody Koerner for assignment. The moves clear a pair of spots on the 40-man roster for outfielder Greg Allen and catcher Rob Brantly, whose contracts have been selected from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Heaney, 30, was a deadline pickup for the Yankees whom the team hoped to turn around after a rough start to the season in Anaheim. New York sent minor league righties Janson Junk and Elvis Peguero to the Halos in return for the final couple months of control over Heaney, a free agent at season’s end, but the move didn’t pan out as hoped.
Heaney, long a solid starter with a penchant for missing bats, saw this year’s alarming home run troubles skyrocket following his trade to the Bronx. The Yankees eventually moved him from the rotation to the ’pen, and it was clear he wasn’t a part of the team’s postseason plans when the team optioned him late in the season (a move that required the veteran’s consent).
In 35 2/3 innings with the Yankees, Heaney limped to a 7.32 ERA — due largely to an untenable 13 home runs allowed during that stretch. His 2021 season will come to a close with 129 2/3 frames of 5.83 ERA ball. To his credit, Heaney was markedly better than league-average in terms of strikeout rate (26.9%), walk rate (7.3%), swinging-strike rate (12.5%) and opponents’ chase rate (35.7%). Fielding-independent metrics like xERA (4.01), xFIP (4.12) and SIERA (3.84) all felt he pitched better than that ERA would suggest, but Heaney’s sky-high 2.01 HR/9 mark and 18.1% homer-to-flyball ratio torpedoed his earned run average. Given his mounting troubles keeping the ball in the yard, it’s not a surprise that the Yankees are electing to remove him from the postseason equation — particularly in advance of a sudden-death Wild Card showdown with the Red Sox.
Koerner, 27, had his contract selected for the final day of the season but was not used in a pivotal Game 162 matchup for the Yankees. He made a pair of appearances earlier in the season, allowing a run on two hits and two walks with one strikeout in a combined three innings of relief.
A former 17th-round pick (2015) who’s spent his entire career to date in the Yankees organization, Koerner pitched to a 3.39 ERA with a below-average 19.1% strikeout rate but better-than-average marks in terms of walk rate (7.1%) and ground-ball rate (45.8%) in 77 Triple-A frames this season. He’ll have the opportunity to become a minor league free agent if he goes unclaimed on waivers in the coming days.
The selection of Allen and Brantly from Triple-A gives the Yankees a pair of options on the bench for tonight’s Wild Card game. Allen provides manager Aaron Boone with a late pinch-running option and/or defensive replacement, while Brantly provides some insurance as an in-case-of-emergency third catcher.
Makes sense, good moves.
Prayers have been answered
I’ll defend Cashman on this one. I joked to a NYY friend that Home Run Heaney might be best utilised in pitcher friendly parks away from the Bronx.. But what else was available when the Yanks were determined – like others – to duck under the luxury tax this year?
Reclamation followed by exclamation followed by designation.
Good reclamation project for the Phillies next season, I hope
When have the Phillies every fixed a pitcher? Let him go to the Giants or the Rays so his career can actually get back on track.
BACK on track??? To what… 2015 (age 24) his ONLY decent season???
That is incorrect. He was a pretty good starter in 2018 and at least average in 2019 and 2020. He is nowhere near as good as his prospect ceiling once believed, but he is still one of the best 150 starting pitching options right now.
No it’s 100% correct. 2015 was his only good season.
He was never”pretty good” in 2019/2020…he had 18 & 12 starts (injury prone!) and had barely league average numbers.
However, You are correct in saying he is “nowhere as good as his prospect ceiling”
I never called him “pretty good” in 2019/2020. Don’t quote someone if it nowhere near correct. I said he was pretty good in 2018 and at least league average in 2019/2020. Your argument did nothing but support mine when you claimed he had “barely league average numbers.” League average is nothing to be ashamed of.
In addition, 12 starts in 2020 was right there with the league leaders since there was only 60 games played. You can’t fault him for that either.
League average is pretty good for a back end starter which is really all anyone hopes he can be at this point
You’re an idiot.
that’s unfair. the phillies helped jim bunning and steve carlton unlock their full potential
I do remember hearing of the Phillies team doctor doing a vasectomy for one of the pitchers …. not positive which pitcher though, maybe Dickie Noles?
@FPG
Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery, no?
@A’sfan
Most definitely yes!!!
And he came back out at the top of the 7th- the medic – having used his teeth….
dickie! will never forget him flat-out throwing at george brett’s head in the 1980 WS
dear goodness no. this guy hasnt been horrid for a few years now and hasnt really tapped into his potential since 2015. hard pass.
Tyler Anderson would have been the better choice. Ed Whitson, Javier Vasquez and Jeff Weaver say thank you Mr. Heaney
Angels.
NO! Heaney back to Angels? HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?!?!?! Lol just NOOOO!
Throw a cool million at Heaney or a minor league deal at both of these guys. Better than Teheran and Quintana, Cahill, Lincecum, Harvey.. am I right?
Throw $0.00 at Heaney and build a REAL pitching staff!! …am I right?
Better than any other starter on the team
Defending Heaney with all those stats is just useless. It’s like saying that after you drove your car into a tree, the radio worked fine and the seat cushions were very comfortable the whole time. There is no validating Heaney’s time with the Yankees no matter what numbers you look at. It was a failure.
Thats funny, thanks for the laugh, needed it !!
I agree with you 100% Heaney has been pretty good, a pretty good Batting practice pitcher.
Good analogy. Definitely made me laugh.
I always pulled for Heaney as an Angel but whenever he’d turn the corner and get on a roll an injury would derail everything. Sorta like with Garrett Richards. I was really hoping that Heaney would pitch a lot better with the Yankees. Instead he was at his worst and will now hurt him severely as he hits free agency. Same with Dylan Bundy who could have had a big contract if he would have followed up 2020 with another strong season instead he was awful.
Another Cashman “steal”, just like how Rizzo and Gallo have been stars for the Yankees. And yes I know already that the Mets suck, you dont need to remind me
Hey, didn’t the Mets win the World Series on Sunday Night Baseball a few weeks ago? Surely, Lindor was such a good pickup, he’s only the best .230 hitter money can buy!
heaney was a bust but otherwise cashman had an excellent trade deadline
Heaney has been a bust no doubt. Both Rizzo and Gallo have done well for the Yankees. It shows when you are playing in meaningful games. Maybe one day the Mets players will have the opportunity.
Gallo?
Good lord you set the bar low if Galli was a success.
Metsin7: I respect your opinion, but when a GM gets another GM to pay a player’s salary so he can trade him to your team, and then that player produces, I believe he (Cash) made a great move.
He has shown to be one of the best GMs [in that respect], although I have my reservations about his ability in other areas.
Pirates should take a flier on Koerner
As long as they’re not taking a flier on Heaney…
I don’t know if they can even though it would probably be a good fit. They have way too many guys to protect for this years Rule V that are better than Koerner. The Rangers might be a better match.
greg allen has a “guy you’ve never heard of who has a defining moment of post-season glory” vibe
What baseball fan hasn’t heard of Greg Allen. He’s been around for several years now. Him stealing a key base and making a diving catch I could see happening late.
Most east coast or west coast fans that don’t realize people exist in the part of the country not bordering an ocean.
fair enough, but i think you are overestimating his profile among casual fans 😉
Probably a fair point. I do think he should be described as “under the radar” instead of “guy you never heard of” though. It fits better and doesn’t come off as so mean.
let’s compromise and put him in the dane iorg/gene larkin “the name is familiar” category
I agree. I’d also like to throw in the names of Francisco Cabrera and Pat Borders.
I anybody else see Andy pettitte in that pic for a split second?
So, I guess both teams got junk in that deal.
That was a junk for Junk trade
Best sports line I read being out in Angel Honk land is Heaney traded for Junk; doesn’t get old!
Now the Yankees decided to use Greg Allen about damn time. If Yankees had Allen contact ability and speed maybe today’s game would be in NY. Allen speed could of made the difference in the standings by one game.
Greg Allen should have been playing down the stretch there was absolutely no need for another 1.99 ba hitter and strike leader in this lineup. He is a switch hitter with speed and good arm in the outfield with a 270 ba when they demoted him. Stupid is as stupid does !
@Yanksallday. Yes definitely see Andy for a split second. That’s awesome observation
Finally! The Yankees needed to promote Allen. I know why they were choosing to keep him down and Davis up (options); but it was plainly stupid. You took apart the team that won 13 straight and were the hottest team in baseball, at the most crucial time, to go back to the style of offense that wasn’t working.
Congratulations Greg Allen – now, make sure you’re clutch tonight!
Go Yankees!
Last game we won against Rays because Heaney didn’t throw. Thank God, thank Boone.
JUNK
2022 Heany goes to either Tampa or Houston and wins 15 games with a sub 4 era.