The big-name transactions draw the biggest headlines, but on Friday, the New York Yankees went with a smaller move.
It's two parts, a waiver claim of a new outfielder and a designated for assignment of a pitcher they just got.
The new outfielder is Michael Siani, according to The Athletic's Chris Kirschner.
Siani had just joined the Dodgers in December, but his 40-man roster space was needed to sign Kyle Tucker, and so he went on waivers.
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The Yanks didn't let the speedy southpaw pass through waivers and claimed him.
Siani has played parts of four MLB seasons between the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals. He's a career.221 hitter with seven doubles two triples, two home runs and 21 stolen bases in 160 games at the MLB level.
Siani won't be favored to make the major league roster, but his speed and defense make him a decent depth option to have in the organization.
To make room for Siani, the Yankees had to designate Kaleb Ort for assignment.
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The DFA puts Ort in the same boat Siani was just in. He goes onto waivers and could be claimed by another team, but if he passes through, he can stay in the Yanks' system.
Ort has a career 5.00 ERA in 118 big league outings.
The 6-foot-4 righty was just claimed off waivers from the Astros on Jan. 9, so if someone else were to claim him now, it'd be quite the short stint in pinstripes.
Moves like these happen every offseason and often don't matter much, but it's fascinating to follow the machinations at the back end of these rosters.
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