The Yankees needed outfield depth after a chaotic offseason, and they’ve just swooped in on a waiver wire opportunity most teams overlooked. Here’s why this under-the-radar move could matter more than you think.
New York made it official today: they’ve claimed 26-year-old outfielder Michael Siani off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated right-hander Kaleb Ort for assignment, setting off a fresh round of roster chess that could ripple through the organization over the next few days.
Who Is Michael Siani?
If the name doesn’t ring a bell, you’re not alone. Siani has spent most of his career as baseball’s version of a hot potato—claimed off waivers four times this winter alone. The Cardinals, Braves, Dodgers, and now the Yankees have all taken a flyer on him in the span of just three months.
But here’s what makes him interesting: Siani is an elite defender with blazing speed. In 2024, he ranked in the 99th percentile with 16 Outs Above Average, meaning he saved more runs with his glove than nearly every other outfielder in baseball. Over his career, he’s logged 17 Outs Above Average and 7 Defensive Runs Saved across 1,014 innings in the outfield.
He’s also fast. Like, really fast. Siani has swiped 21 bases in 26 career attempts at the big league level, and added 28 more steals in Triple-A last season.
The Catch? He Can’t Hit
Here’s the reality check: Siani’s bat is a major liability. In 383 career major league plate appearances, he’s hitting just .221 with a microscopic .570 OPS. That’s 42 percent worse than the league average hitter. He walked only 6.3 percent of the time last season while striking out nearly 28 percent of the time.
In 2025, he appeared in just 19 games for the Cardinals, batting .235 before spending most of the year in Triple-A Memphis, where he hit .209. Those numbers won’t get you regular at-bats on a contender.
So, Why Did the Yankees Want Him?
Think of Siani as insurance, not a starter. With Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Trent Grisham expected to handle the primary outfield duties, the Yankees aren’t counting on Siani to be an everyday player. Instead, he gives them a controllable, cost-effective option they can deploy in specific situations.
Late-game defense? Check. Pinch-running in high-leverage moments? Check. Emergency center fielder, in case someone gets hurt? Check.
And here’s the kicker: Siani still has one minor league option remaining. That means the Yankees can shuttle him between the majors and Triple-A without losing him to waivers, giving them maximum roster flexibility throughout the season.
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What About Kaleb Ort?
To make room for Siani, the Yankees had to sacrifice Kaleb Ort, a 32-year-old reliever with a career 5.00 ERA. Ort was only claimed by New York two weeks ago off waivers from the Houston Astros, making this a classic case of roster churn.
Ort now enters a seven-day waiver period. If another team claims him, they’ll take on his contract and he’s gone. If he clears waivers, the Yankees can potentially keep him as non-roster depth or outright him to the minors.
The Bigger Picture
This move tells you everything about how modern front offices operate. It’s not flashy. It won’t make headlines on SportsCenter. But it’s the kind of calculated depth-building that separates good organizations from great ones.
The Yankees are stacking controllable, versatile pieces who can fill multiple roles without breaking the bank. Meanwhile, top prospects like Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones continue developing in the minors without being rushed to fill gaps.
What Happens Next?
Keep your eyes on the transaction wire over the next 72 hours. Will Ort get claimed by another team looking for bullpen help? Will Siani stick on the active roster or head straight to Triple-A? And could this be just the first domino in a larger series of roster moves before spring training?
One thing’s certain: in today’s MLB, roster spots are never safe, and the waiver wire never sleeps.
Vikas Tiwari, writer and editor focused on Yankees news, rumors, trade updates, and game coverage, emphasizing accuracy, sourcing, and clarity.
