A Very Quick Look At The Non-Tendered Players (N.L. Teams)

A host of players were non-tendered Monday night as clubs had until 8:00 p.m. that night to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players.

Let’s take a quick look at each of the non-tendered players from the National League teams to see if any could be pieces that help the Yankees in 2020. I’ll look at the player’s positions, often times his 2019 stats, and determine if he fits:

(I looked at the American League players earlier this week.)

Addison Russell (Cubs) – 2b/SS, .237/9/23…big prospect who never made it. No.

Danny Hultzen (Cubs) – A lefty reliever with some promise. As a depth piece? Sure.

Taijuan Walker (Diamondbacks) – He’s pitched in four games since 2017. No.

Steven Souza (Diamondbacks) – OF, He didn’t play in 2019. No.

Caleb Joseph (Diamondbacks) – C, .211/0/3, as a AAA back-up? Maybe.

Kevin Pillar (Giants) – CF, .259/21/88, a great fielder, he usually kills the Yankees. YES!

Rico Garcia (Giants) – P, a 26 year-old righty who has pitched all of two games in MLB. No.

Joey Rickard (Giants) – OF, a low average and low power guy. No.

Elias Diaz (Pirates) – C, .241/2/28, another catcher; the Yankees should grab one of these guys for needed depth. Maybe.

Cesar Hernandez (Phillies) – 2b/SS, .279/14/71, a switch hitter, similar to Jonathan Villar (who signed with the Marlins), he would make sense as a depth piece. Yes.

Maikel Franco (Phillies) – 3b, .234/17/56, no need for a third baseman. No.

Kevin Gausman (Reds) – P, a back-end starter/long reliever. No.

Jose Peraza (Reds) – An INF/OF, he can be a solid player, but as a right-handed hitter, I don’t see a role for him on the Yankees. If he batted lefty, maybe, but since he doesn’t… No.

Travis Shaw (Brewers) – 1b, 3b, 2b , .157/7/22, but 30+ hrs in 2017 and 2018, a left bat… interesting. Maybe.

Jimmy Nelson (Brewers) – P, another back-end starter. No.

Junior Guerra (Brewers) – RP, 9-5, 3.55, could be a good long-man out of the pan. I’d be interested. Maybe.

Alex Claudio (Brewers) – RP, a lefty who led the A.L. in games in 2019. Interesting option. Maybe, but probably not.

Tyler Saladino (Brewers) – INF, .123/2/8. No, he doesn’t fit.

Charlie Culberson (Braves) – LF, SS, again a right-handed batting utility guy. No.

John Ryan Murphy (Braves) – C, once traded for Aaron Hicks. He hasn’t hit in years. No.

Rafael Ortega (Braves) – OF, .205/2/10. He hits left-handed, but he doesn’t hit much. No.

Javy Guerra (Nationals) -SS, P… Bats left-handed, pitches, and plays shortstop. Talk about versatile! My type of player. YES!

Yimi Garcia (Dodgers) – RP, had a 0.866 WHIP in 62.1 MLB innings in 2019. He had 66 strikeouts as well. YES!

Elias Diaz (Pirates) – C, .241/2/28. He could be a nice back-up catcher. Maybe.