While Yankees fans keep refreshing Twitter for Cody Bellinger news, the front office just made three under-the-radar moves that could actually matter more than you think.
These aren’t splashy signings, but they’re exactly the kind of depth plays that separate contenders from pretenders when injuries hit in July.
Who the Yankees Actually Signed
The Bronx Bombers added three familiar faces to minor-league deals over the past few weeks: infielder Paul DeJong (Cardinals), right-hander Adam Kloffenstein (Cardinals), and catcher Payton Henry (Marlins).
DeJong is the name most fans will recognize. The former 2019 All-Star who smashed 30 homers that season signed on January 4th with a spring training invite and stands to earn one million dollars if he cracks the 25-man roster. He spent last season with Washington but only played 57 games after taking a 92.7 mph fastball to the face that fractured his nose and sidelined him for ten weeks.
Kloffenstein signed back in December and brings some intrigue. The 25-year-old was once a top-10 prospect in Toronto’s system but has struggled to find consistency. He’s made exactly one major-league appearance—one perfect inning for St. Louis in 2024—and will get a shot to revive his career in spring training. Given the Yankees’ pitching development track record with reclamation projects, this could be a sneaky-good pickup.
Henry, also signed in December, is a 28-year-old catcher who last appeared in the majors with Miami back in 2021-22. He’s organizational depth, plain and simple.
Read more: Yankees Shockingly Add Mexican League MVP Nick Torres
Why This Matters More Than It Looks
Here’s the thing about minor-league signings: they’re insurance policies that cost almost nothing. With Anthony Volpe recovering from shoulder surgery and not expected back until May, DeJong gives the Yankees a versatile infielder who can play anywhere across the diamond. He slugged .446 against left-handed pitching in limited action last season, which is why teams view him as a potential platoon power option.
Kloffenstein addresses rotation depth at a time when Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Clarke Schmidt are all rehabbing from elbow issues. If spring goes sideways or someone gets hurt opening week, having a live arm with upside beats scrambling for waiver-wire lottery tickets.
This is textbook Yankees operation: low risk, low cost, potentially high reward. If even one of these guys pops in spring training, they’ve got a cheap solution already in-house rather than overpaying at the trade deadline.
The Bellinger Connection
The elephant in the room remains Cody Bellinger, who reportedly received a second contract offer from New York. But whether he signs or not, these depth additions show the Yankees aren’t just sitting idle. They’re building roster insurance while the big fish decides where to land.
Spring training starts in six weeks. By then, we’ll know if Paul DeJong still has some pop left, if Kloffenstein can rediscover his prospect shine, or if these signings fade into organizational depth. Either way, the Yankees did their homework while everyone else was doom-scrolling about payroll restrictions.
Vikas Tiwari, writer and editor focused on Yankees news, rumors, trade updates, and game coverage, emphasizing accuracy, sourcing, and clarity.
