Congratulations to Dean Anna and Yangervis Solarte, the two newest members of the New York Yankees. After last night’s win against the Miami Marlins, manager Joe Girardi told Anna he had made the roster. It didn’t come as much of a surprise, because Anna’s friend and former minor league teammate Jedd Gyorko, sent out a congratulatory tweet earlier in afternoon.
Congrats @Dino24Baseball for making the Yanks OD roster!! #LetsGo
— Jedd Gyorko (@JGyorko05) March 28, 2014
Then at around 9:30pm Girardi made it official. They also announced that Zelous Wheeler was optioned to Triple-A Scranton, just leaving Eduardo Nunez and Solarte left.
But the drama didn’t end there, Girardi told both Nunez and Solarte not to pack and just show up like it was a normal day. The team scheduled to ship out for Houston tonight, and the two players told that they were not coming, the rumor mill started spinning once again. Fast forward a few hours later, it was revealed that Solarte has an opt-out clause in case he was not going to make the 25-man roster. But Solarte did say he would be open to staying with the Yankees organization in Scranton if he felt it was his best chance to eventually make the big league team. Meanwhile Nunez said the entire situation was “weird”. He was thought to be the front runner for the final spot, seeing how he was already on the 40-man roster.
After today’s spring training finale was canceled due to rain, the focus was quickly back on the Solarte and Nunez situation. Girardi called Nunez into his office first to break the bad news to him. He had nothing but good things to say bout Nunez. “We all love Nuney,” said Girardi. Nunez left camp without talking to reporters, and he will start the season in Scranton. He was officially optioned this afternoon. Once Solarte was told he won the final roster spot, he was absolutely smitten with joy, “It’s been nine years that I’ve been waiting for this,” he said. “I have goosebumps still.” This is Solarte’s first time in the bigs and he certainly deserves it. He will join the team on Monday, because Cashman still has to make room on the 40-man. So there will be one more roster move to report.
Solarte outplayed Nunez this spring, in 47 plate appearances Solarte went 18-for-42 giving him a whopping .429 BA, .489 OBP, .571 SLG with two homers and four walks. He clearly was the better of the two defensively, being able to play almost any infield position. He will primarily be the backup at third and second base, while Anna concentrates on backing up Jeter at shortstop. Nunez didn’t have such a great spring in the field. His continual throwing errors are still a concern and liability, but we all know Nunez has a great bat. Girardi has said all spring he was going to take the best possible players for the roster. I’m sure this won’t be the last time we see Nunez in pinstripes, and I know we will all miss his flying helmet.
