All in all, the latest New York Yankees transaction announcement was just a tad odd.
Here’s what they posted on social media: “The Yankees have released LHP Brandon Leibrandt. Leibrandt has signed with the CTBC Brothers Baseball Club in the Chinese Professional Baseball League.”
It’s hard to come up with the last time that a player on the precipice of the big leagues was released, possibly at his own request, to sign with a team not in Japan or Korea but in the lesser Chinese league.
Leibrandt is a journeyman, yes, but he’s also been a stud this season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre. He has a 2.85 ERA there in 10 appearances (9 starts).
It’s very possible his contract had an opt-out in it for if he hadn’t been called up by a specific date. That’s what many veteran minor league free agents have.
It’s not immediately clear if that’s true for Leibrandt, but whatever the reason, he’s now heading halfway across the world to play ball.
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The Yankees have dealt with a bunch of injuries to pitchers this season and not called on Leibrandt yet, so maybe he was never going to get the call.
It’s still a pretty much unprecedented move for the middle of the season.
The 32-year old has been in professional baseball since 2014 and briefly made his MLB debut last season for the Cincinnati Reds before joining the Yankees organization this offseason.
With how he’s pitching, Leibrandt has the chance to be an ace over in China.
Hopefully it’s the best move for everyone involved.
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